Gas leak empties school

Near North District School Board
News Release

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Early this afternoon a gas smell was detected at Silver Birches Elementary school. As a safety precaution, the gas company was called and the staff and students were relocated to Marshall Park Public School.

The Gas company and the North Bay Fire Department, along with the Board’s Facility Supervisor and maintenance staff responded quickly and determined that a makeup air unit on the roof of the Gymnasium had failed to ignite properly and automatically shut itself down. The resulting build up of gas had filtered through the unit and down into the gymnasium space below.

The Board HVAC technician is currently adjusting and repairing the unit.

Staff and students safely returned to their classes after given the approval by the gas company.

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