UPDATE: 5:05 PM:
What started as the smell of gas inside Cape Coral High quickly turned into two evacuations and an early dismissal on Tuesday. Fox 4’s Austin Schargorodski spoke with students about the moment they noticed something wasn’t right.
Watch to hear what students told Austin about the possible gas leak:
Hundreds of students lined the sidewalks after early dismissal due to a possible gas leak. They say it came after hours of waiting in the bleachers during the first evacuation. Students tell Schargorodski there was a strong propane-like smell coming from the cafeteria.
“We were all covering our noses so we wouldn’t breathe it in,” one student said. “A lot of kids were saying their head hurts or were lightheaded,” another student added. “I was in complete shock. Like what do you mean there’s a gas leak at our school?” said a third.
Students like Sophia Cardenas say their parents were getting emails from the district about a possible gas leak at the school. “My parents were calling my phone like are you okay. They kept getting emails from school. I was telling them I’m fine and I’m safe,” said Cardenas.
Around eleven, Cape Coral firefighters say they shut off propane to the school, ran detectors through every room, and found no gas buildup. Students went back to class, but someone reported the smell again an hour later. Firefighters say they didn’t find any gas again.
The Lee County School District decided to send students home early, and they expect class to be back in session Wednesday.
“Because if we’re ending the day early today because of this, what can tell you the same thing wouldn’t happen tomorrow,” one student said.
The district says two staff members were taken to the hospital. The fire department says they did find and repair an unrelated leak outside the school.
UPDATE 1:19 PM:
The Cape Coral Fire Department tells FOX 4 that they're not finding any readings of gas at this time.
UPDATE 1:09 PM:
The Lee County School District says two staff members were transported to the hospital.
One of the employees is pregnant, while the other reported throat irritation.
UPDATE 12:00PM:
The Lee County School District tells Fox 4 that the "gas smell is back," and students are evacuating again. Cape Coral High School has decided to initiate an early dismissal. Parent pick up is going to be near the baseball field, according to school leaders. Students who ride the bus are encouraged to ride the bus home rather than have their parents come get them.
UPDATE 10:55 a.m.:
Students are back in class after Cape Coral Fire said there was a reported smell of propane at the school.
"The odor appeared to come from an area of the school without any propane equipment or lines," the department said.
The propane supply to the school was shut off as firefighters used gas detectors throughout the building. However, no propane was found.
When the gas was turned back on, the fire department said they did not find any gas build up.
The fire department said there was an unrelated leak outside the school and it was repaired.
UPDATE 10AM:
The Cape Coral Fire Department investigated and declared all areas of the school safe. Students have returned back to class.
UPDATE 9AM:
Fox 4 called Debono's Stop and Go, in the area. People there told us they do not smell gas, currently.
UPDATE 8:50 AM:
Students are still waiting outside, according to our crew on scene:
UPDATE 8:37 AM:
The Lee County School District sent an email explaining that a propane smell was reported Tuesday morning at Cape Coral High School. Firefighters responded, and the school is following safety protocols. The school district tells us around 2,000 students attend Cape Coral High School.
ORIGINAL 7:55 AM:
The Cape Coral Police Department said a potential gas leak has been reported at Cape Coral High School, Tuesday morning.
Police said all students have been evacuated and are in a secure area, as of around 7:55 a.m. The Lee County School District tells us they emailed parents around 7:30 a.m. to alert them.
The Cape Coral Fire Department is on scene investigating.
