An exterminator looking for termites at Derby High School hit a gas line Thursday (July 17) morning, triggering an evacuation of the building and a “shelter in place” order for about 60 kids going to summer school at nearby Derby Middle School.
The incident was first reported about 10 a.m. at the high school, at 8 Nutmeg Ave.
There were no injuries.
Firefighters from throughout Derby responded to the scene to vent the building of gas.
Derby Schools Superintendent Matthew Conway said an exterminator was in the building Thursday to perform a termite inspection.
“I believe it is a process where a tool goes into the ground,” the superintendent said.
Somehow, the tool hit the gas line, causing a leak.
Utilities were shut off to the building and contractors working on putting a new roof on it were moved away from the site as a precaution, Conway said.
“Everyone was sheltered in place inside the middle school as a safety precaution,” Conway said.
The middle school is across the street from the high school.
Emergency crews were clearing the scene about noon and Conway said the campus was back open about 12:15 p.m.
A prepared statement issued by the superintendent’s office advised parents that summer school would dismiss at its normal time Thursday.
The incident had nothing to do with a school roof replacement project currently underway, Derby officials noted.
