Gas leak forces school evacuation

Stonington — A propane gas leak from the construction site at the school forced officials to cancel class at Deans Mill School Monday morning.

Police Capt. Todd Olson said a relief cap on one of the exterior propane tanks failed as a delivery was being made before most of the students arrived. He said the fueling was stopped but the odor of gas had leaked into the school. A small number of students in a before-school program were inside and evacuated.

When students arrived aboard buses at 8:30 a.m., they were kept on the buses and did not enter the school. Shortly after the students and staff were brought to nearby Mystic Middle School gym. They were dismissed at 11:30 a.m.

In a message to parents, Principal Jennifer McCurdy and Assistant Principal Thomas Bousquet said in a Facebook post that firefighters and police checked the building and the air was tested by the fire marshal and Mystic Air Quality Consultants, who have now cleared the school to reopen today.

“Our students’ behavior was outstanding throughout the situation. We are appreciative of the community effort made to ensure that everyone was safe,” wrote McCurdy and Bousquet.

Olson praised school officials, saying the relocation went flawlessly.

The school is undergoing a renovation and expansion.