Gas leak evacuates Portsmouth school

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - One person was transported to the hospital following a strong smell of gas inside a Portsmouth elementary school Wednesday.

Battalion Chief Jim Hoffler told WAVY.com firefighters were called to Victory Elementary School located at 2828 Greenwood Dr. just before 9 a.m. for a report of a smell of gas. Once on scene, they found a strong odor of gas in the building.

Crews checked for carbon monoxide and found and elevated reading. That reading was not immediately dangerous, but the school was evacuated as a precaution.

Maureen Mizelle with Portsmouth Public Schools, told WAVY.com the only people inside the school at the time were faculty and support. No students were inside the building. Any students arriving were held on buses and not allowed inside.

One staff memeber was transported to a local hospital. Their condition is unknown at this time.

Hoffler said crews discovered an appliance as the source of the gas leak and put a red tag on it so it cannot be used again. Everyone was then allowed back inside the school.

Mizelle added that appliance was a heating unit inside one of the classrooms. Any students on that hallway will be placed in classrooms on the STARBASE Victory wing for the remainder of the day.

Hoffler added the scene was cleared in about 15 minutes.