A gas leak near the Winstead Terrace and Hollenbeck Avenue area in Sunnyvale today prompted a shelter-in-place order at a nearby school, with officials stressing that the campus was not evacuated. Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety later said PG&E crews had mitigated the leak and that affected residents might be cleared to return to their homes soon. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Officials' update
According to the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, the school was instructed to shelter in place and "was not evacuated" while first responders and utility crews worked the scene in the Winstead/Hollenbeck area. The update referenced an earlier traffic advisory for the neighborhood and confirmed that PG&E had mitigated the leak. The department also reminded residents that its social media account is not monitored around the clock and that emergencies should always be reported to 9-1-1.
UPDATE: The school was not evacuated. They were asked to shelter in place. The gas leak has been mitigated by PG&E. We hope to allow the affected residents to return to their homes soon.
— Sunnyvale DPS (@SunnyvaleDPS) January 26, 2026
PG&E response and safety guidance
Public safety officials credited PG&E crews with mitigating the gas release and said emergency personnel stayed on scene to verify the area was safe before fully clearing it. PG&E’s guidance advises that anyone who smells gas should move to fresh air, call 9-1-1 and the utility’s emergency line, and avoid creating sparks until technicians confirm the site is clear. More details are available on PG&E.
Local precedent
Neighborhood gas leaks in the South Bay are often traced to construction strikes or damaged meters, and they typically trigger temporary shelter-in-place orders or evacuations until utility crews secure the line. As a Church Street gas leak showed, a construction accident can quickly lead to evacuations before PG&E crews plug the break and allow residents back home.
What residents should do now
Residents in the affected Sunnyvale area are being told to wait for the all-clear from emergency crews or PG&E before returning home. For immediate threats, officials direct people to call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety lists 408-730-7100 for general inquiries, and PG&E’s emergency line is 1-800-743-5000.
Officials did not immediately provide additional comment beyond the social media update. This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
