A sharp natural gas odor sent students and staff hustling out of Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School and onto the campus football field Monday morning while emergency crews checked things out. Northside Independent School District officials said the evacuation unfolded in an orderly way and that everyone was accounted for.
Firefighters were called to the campus just before 11:30 a.m., and crews swept the building while the fire department worked to track down the source of the smell, as reported by WOAI. Barry Perez, the district's executive director of communications, told the station that all students and staff were safely moved to the football field.
Northside ISD's campus page lists Wallace B. Jefferson Middle School at 10900 Shaenfield Road, confirming the campus involved. The district site also includes the school's phone number and principal contact information for parents and guardians.
Recent gas incidents on the North Side
The Jefferson evacuation comes just weeks after two North Side homes exploded in April, an incident that hospitalized five people and remains under investigation, according to KSAT. Earlier this year, a gas leak forced an hours-long evacuation at Marshall High School, MySA reported.
What to do if you smell gas
If you smell natural gas, CPS Energy advises leaving the area immediately and calling 911 and CPS Energy at 210-353-HELP (4357), per CPS Energy. The utility also warns against operating electrical switches or using phones inside buildings where gas is suspected and says to wait for trained crews to declare a site safe.
Fire officials said they are investigating the source of the odor and will clear the campus only after completing safety checks. Parents and guardians are urged to monitor Northside ISD's official channels for updates if conditions change.
