KEARNEY — Students and staff were evacuated from Park Elementary School due to a minor natural gas leak during the morning of Monday, Oct. 23.
Around 8 a.m., the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Park Elementary for the report of a gas leak, arriving on scene shortly after.
Activity was focused on natural gas pipes on the west side of the school.
Chance Waggoner, Park Elementary Principal, said that staff had noted the faint smell of natural gas when they arrived at the building.
Waggoner said they followed Kearney Public School procedure and evacuated the building to the Harmon Activity Center. He said he was impressed with the students and staff, as the evacuation only took four minutes.
Park Elementary staff contacted their buildings and grounds staff, who in turn contacted NorthWestern Energy. Utility workers arrived at the school at 8:30 a.m., firefighters were able to leave the scene at 8:35 a.m.
It was determined there was a minor natural gas leak, said Waggoner.
Waggoner said the school would remain evacuated until NorthWestern had the issue fixed, which was expected within the hour.
The Kearney Police Department and CHI Good Samaritan Emergency Services assisted on scene.
