Kofa building evacuated due to open gas valve

  A classroom building had to be evacuated and access restricted to an administration building at Kofa High School Wednesday morning due to a gas leak.

  "School personnel reported noticing a smell of gas," said Yuma Union High School District Superintendent Toni Badone. "It was in one of the new buildings. The only reason we have gas there is for the science classes and labs."

  The Yuma Fire Department and Southwest Gas were both notified and responded to the scene shortly after it was reported at 11:15 a.m.

  Badone said the students in the building at the time were relocated to classrooms in other parts of the campus, including the school's library.

  "Southwest Gas recommended the evacuation because they were getting gas readings on their meters," Badone said. "There are 11 classrooms in that section of the building, and about 300 students were affected."

  Classes at Kofa High School began Tuesday.

  According to Mike Erfert, YFD spokesman, the gas was shut off to the building and firefighters, wearing self-contained breathing gear, went inside to look for the leak.

  Erfert said the leak was determined to be an open valve on a gas line. He added that once the valve was closed and the and the building appropriately aired out and monitored, students and school personnel were allowed to return.

  Badone said the building was cleared for use again at 1:20 p.m. and the classrooms were able to be used again for the final two class periods of the day.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.