Minor Gas Leak Delays Start of Elementary School in Broad Brook Wednesday

It was an exciting morning for the staff and students at the Broad Brook Elementary School on Wednesday.

Just as the buses were delivering students to school, a staff member reported a sulfur-smell within the school that is normally associated with a gas leak. The local fire and police departments were called, along with officials with Yankee Gas to investigate a possible leak, according to East Windsor Superintendent of Schools Theresa Kane.

It was quickly determined that there was a leak in one of the vents in a rooftop unit on one of the modular classrooms, Kane said Wednesday afternoon.

The students were kept on their buses and brought to the middle school about one mile away, while staff and students who were already at the school were evacuated to the East Windsor Town Hall located across the street from the school.

Kane said that Yankee Gas officials capped the leak and the East Windsor Fire Marshal then inspected the school. After receiving the all clear, everyone was back in their classrooms by about 9:30 a.m., or 25 minutes after the first bell.

In an e-mail home to parents Wednesday morning, Broad Brook Principal Laura Foxx wrote:

"This morning, November 7, 2012, before school started we noticed we had a small gas leak in the modulars. The buses were evacuated to the Middle School and the Family Resource Center and all staff were evacuated to the Town Hall. The police and fire department came to the Broad Brook School. The gas leak was capped and the fire department determined that the school was safe. At that time we re-entered the building and started the school day. The children were safe at all times either on their buses or at the town hall. A letter describing the events of the morning is also being sent home today."