College tries to locate source of gas leak which led to closure

Staff and students evacuated and college buildings shut after incident on Thursday

Perth College UHI is trying to identify the source of a gas leak which has led to its closure.

Engineers were on site yesterday and will be working over the weekend to fix the problem, which is understood to relate to underground pipes near the Brahan entrance to the college.

College bosses decided to close buildings following the gas leak, which took place around 3pm on Thursday. Staff and students were evacuated.

However, some students were allowed to sit degree exams at the college’s academy of sport and wellbeing (ASW) building yesterday.

A Perth College UHI source said the main problem was trying to identify the source of the gas leak.

“The problem seems to be with underground pipes at the Brahan entrance to the college,” he said.

“Engineers are working hard to locate the source of the gas leak and we hope to have it resolved over the weekend.

“Hopefully we will have the Goodlyburn and Webster buildings open on Monday along with the academy of sport and wellbeing, as they are served by different gas pipes.”

Sheila Yeaman, 27, who is studying a BSc in Applied Science, said she was still able to sit her exams but was aware of other students who had been affected by the closure.

“I know quite a few people who were either sitting exams or getting revision at the college who had to go home on Thursday,” she commented.

“It is a shame but it’s one of these things that can happen, particularly in this cold weather.”

A spokesperson for Perth College UHI said staff and students have been advised to keep in touch with details of the closure through social media.

A statement issued by Perth College UHI on social media states: “All scheduled exams will go ahead, but will take place in the ASW. Further updates will be provided via social media and via text message, if the college is not to open on Monday.”

A spokesperson for the gas service network SGN confirmed their engineers had initially attended Perth College UHI on Thursday.

“As we’re the provider of the national gas emergency service in Scotland, we attended at the scene but the college’s engineers are now dealing with the matter,” she said.

“The problem seems to be with underground pipes at the Brahan entrance to the college