Staff reports 9:32 a.m.
Thursday, January 25, 2018 9:33 am

Students were relocated from the high school, seen here, to the Community Center while the source of the leak was confirmed. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Fire responded to a gas leak on Wednesday at Spaulding High School.

The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. as firefighters responded to a fire alarm and subsequent 911 call from Spaulding High School reporting that the alarm was pulled as a result of a strong odor of gas inside the building.

The building was evacuated as a precaution, and students and staff were housed inside the Rochester Community Center during the response.

Firefighters isolated the odor to a science classroom and identified a leaking gas main as the source. The gas main was then shut off and Unitil was called to help further pinpoint the leak. The Rochester Schools will work with a third party gas fitter to conduct repairs.

The building was reopened to students and staff after approximately 25 minutes.