An unconfirmed gas leak has resulted in Fraser-Cascade School District 78 (SD78) erring on the side of caution and evacuating all students and staff of Hope Secondary School (HSS) to venues such as the Royal Canadian Legion and Hope Eagles via bus before 9 a.m.
However, according to SD78 director of facilities Douglas Templeton, the issue was the result of a battery overcharging in the automotive shop. Templeton added that the smell did not come from a gas leak and there were no problems with the heating system.
"When the principal came to school this morning, she noticed a smell in the hallway, called the maintenance department," said Templeton. "She erred on the side of caution, she didn't allow school to take place on site today."
No damage nor injuries were sustained.
Students will be able to return to school once the maintenance department cleans up and ventilates the auto shop.
SD78 superintendent Karen Nelson added that buses are on-call to bring students back to HSS once it is deemed safe.