Gas Leak Triggers Evacuation At Dallas Academy
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Dallas-Fire Rescue responded to a gas main break at William B Travis Academy/Vanguard on McKinney Avenue around noon Tuesday.
Construction workers may have caused the leak on the side of the school, according to Dallas Fire Rescue spokesman Jason Evans.
Residents in the area and students were evacuated.
"In abundance of caution we decided to follow the standard response protocol and go ahead and evacuate the students," Dallas ISD Assistant Chief Jason Rodriguez said.
"Today was picture day for badges and my class was in the auditorium getting our pictures taken when the loud speaker came on," fifth-grader Kenna Ruibal said. "The assistant principal said we need to evacuate immediately."
All students, about 500 fourth through eighth graders, loaded on to buses and headed to Alex W. Spence Talented and Gifted Academy just about two miles down the road. Their parents waited to pick them up.
"All students have been evacuated safely," Rodriguez said.
The gas was turned off around 5:30 p.m. Crews are working to make final repairs. Students are expected to be back in class on Wednesday.