Students and staff at Ford Elementary in Conroe ISD were evacuated Thursday morning after a gas odor was detected. Officials traced the source to a boiler issue, and no injuries were reported.
On Thursday morning, a gas odor was detected at Ford Elementary School in Conroe, leading to an evacuation. Fortunately, officials have confirmed that all students and staff are safe.
Shortly after the school day commenced, officials from Conroe Independent School District reported the detection of a gas odor. Administrators swiftly initiated an evacuation, directing students and staff to shaded areas while coordinating the delivery of water supplies.
Responding swiftly, the South Montgomery County Fire Department identified the source of the odor as a problem with the boiler. Officials reported that the maintenance department of the district is currently on-site, conducting repairs.
Emergency responders from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and EMS crews quickly arrived on the scene, yet fortunately, there were no reported injuries. The district highlighted that student safety was prioritized during the incident, and the response was executed with utmost caution.
School officials notified parents and confirmed that classes will resume as soon as the area is safe.
While gas leaks in schools are rare, they can prompt significant safety measures because of the grave dangers posed by fire or explosion. On Thursday, an immediate evacuation was carried out in response to a suspected leak, following the guidance of the National Fire Protection Association.
District officials announced plans to investigate the incident thoroughly, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining safety protocols and ensuring that all necessary repairs are finalized before the boiler's reactivation.
In a statement, Conroe ISD assured that “All students and staff are safe, and the situation is under control.”
Conroe city leaders have pledged to fight a planned high-pressure natural gas compressor station near Interstate 45, citing potential safety hazards and joining business owners in opposing the project through a resolution of support.
The YMCA, in partnership with Conroe ISD, is set to expand its After School Care program to additional campuses through a phased rollout; however, it needs parental input to move forward.
Montgomery County commissioners have approved the temporary use of the Oddfellow Street property in Conroe for Access Builds Children, a nonprofit organization that facilitates court-ordered child visitation services, after the group was displaced from its previous site.