Worker hits gas line, temporarily evacuating nearby schools

POLAND, Ohio (WKBN) – A worker installing a pole hit a gas line on Friday afternoon, causing a gas leak and the evacuations of nearby schools, according to Poland’s fire chief.

The gas leak was on Michigan Avenue, less than 30 yards from McKinley Elementary and Poland Middle schools.

“At 12 or 11:50 a.m. we heard a really loud noise outside on Michigan Avenue and immediately our two SROs responded,” said Poland Local School Superintendent Craig Hockenberry.

The two schools were evacuated to a nearby area. The immediate neighborhood was also evacuated and blocked off.

“We took approximately 1,100 kids to Union Elementary on Riverside Drive where all the staff are right now, so everyone is safe right now. We practiced this multiple times a year so it paid off,” Hockenberry said.

Multiple agencies worked together until the gas was shut off and the evacuation was lifted.

The gas is now shut off for homes in the immediate area as repairs are being made. Meanwhile, students who were evacuated earlier returned to class later Friday afternoon.

“We did that out of an abundance of caution. At no time were any of the students in any risk,” said Fire Chief David Comstock.

Poland’s fire chief said it took a while to shut off the gas because the line connects to three different streets.

“They had to use personnel to locate the gas shut-offs. It’s in an area where three different streets come together and so the gas lines were running different directions and they needed to find the most appropriate gas line to shut down,” Comstock said.

Students and residents were given the all clear to return around 1:30 p.m.

At this point, it is unknown when gas will be restored in the area.

Kristen Hephner contributed to this report.

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