Students, faculty and staff at an elementary school in Jamaica were evacuated on Friday morning after a gas leak was detected nearby, officials said. The FDNY received a call just before 9 a.m. of a ruptured high-pressure gas main near P.S. 95 Eastwood, located on 179th Place between Hillside Avenue and Hillside Avenue.
“Out of an abundance of caution, this school is being evacuated to a nearby building due to an outside gas leak, off school property,” Department of Education spokeswoman Jenna Lyle said. “The school has communicated with families, FDNY is responding, and all students and staff are safe.”
FDNY officials said that National Grid was on the scene and was able to control the leak.
“This morning, a non-National Grid third-party contractor struck a gas main. National Grid crews responded to the location along with FDNY in response,” a National Grid spokesperson said. “National Grid crews have now safely secured the gas service. Repairs are ongoing. No injuries or illness [were] reported, and {there are] no service interruptions at this time.”
National Grid crews contained the gas leak by 11:30 a.m.
“We would like to remind all contractors and members of the public to call 811 before you dig,” the spokesperson added.
The FDNY declared the emergency under control just before 11:30 a.m. with no injuries to first responders.
