Fire Crews Respond to a Reported Gas Leak at Saddleback Elementary School

Maricopa, AZ---January 26, 2012 8:50 morning, Maricopa Fire crews responded to a reported gas leak inside Saddleback Elementary School.  No injuries were reported. School staff did an outstanding job in recognizing the issue and safely evacuated all the students prior to emergency crews arrival.

School staff working around the kitchen noticed an odor of gas coming from an area near the stoves.  Staff members notified facilities workers and pulled the fire alarm, which prompted the efficient evacuation of the school.

Maricopa Fire Ladder Truck 571, staffed with Hazardous Materials Technicians, used gas monitors to evaluate the air and tried to pinpoint the origin of the leak. Other fire crews made sure everyone was accounted for and no one was still inside the school.  Southwest Gas emergency response crews also responded and gave the final all clear after a thorough evaluation of the kitchen and gas systems.

At approximately 9:45am the school was given the all clear and returned to normal operations.

Maricopa Fire Department would like to recognize the staff at Saddleback Elementary School for conducting a very well organized and fast emergency evacuation.  Although this incident turned out to be minor, in the event of a major incident, having the proper plans in place and executing them in the way they did today will be essential to the safety and welfare of their students.