A reported natural gas leak prompted evacuations at several buildings on the Nestlé Purina PetCare campus and a nearby school in downtown St. Louis early today. Crews from the St. Louis Fire Department and Spire gas company were dispatched to the scene near South 7th Street and Chouteau Avenue as the smell of gas, emanating from a local sewer, raised alarms amongst those in the vicinity.
According to FOX 2 Now, the company promptly evacuated two of its buildings and sent approximately 3,000 employees home for the day as a precautionary measure. Similarly, students and faculty at Madison School were made to leave the premises. The first responders have cordoned off a three-block radius, rerouting both pedestrian and vehicular traffic for safety.
Bill Etling, Nestlé Purina Vice President, spoke to 5 On Your Side and confirmed that "all 14 of the campus buildings were evacuated as a precaution." Bunche Middle School, located at 1118 South 7th St., also took action with its staff and students observed gathering in the parking lot away from potential hazards.
Despite the severity suggested by such precautions, no injuries or hospitalizations related to the incident have been reported at this point. In a statement provided by the St. Louis City Fire Department to First Alert 4, the specific buildings evacuated on the Purina campus were designated A, D, and E, along with the tower lower level. The situation is ongoing, with updates to follow as more information comes to light.
