Suspected gas leak closes primary school

Gas engineers were called out to Alphington Primary School in Exeter

A primary school in Devon has been closed following reports of a suspected gas leak.

A message on Devon County Council's (DCC) website at 11:20 GMT said Alphington Primary School in Exeter had been shut on Friday.

Head-teacher Sharon Tarr confirmed the school was evacuated after the smell of gas was detected.

A spokesperson for Wales and West Utilities said engineers had been called out but found "no evidence of a leak".

Ms Tarr said the evacuation from the site on Wheatsheaf Way was conducted following a call to the gas emergency line and was completed in 30 minutes.

She said engineers are on site and it is hoped the school will reopen on Monday.

"We would like to thank all of our children, staff and parents who responded so quickly ensuring the majority of children were collected within 30 minutes," Ms Tarr said.

'Strong smell' from drains

Wales and West Utilities said engineers were called out to the school on Friday morning.

A spokesperson said a "strong smell from one of the drains" had been detected and it was decided to evacuate the site as a precaution.

Dan Lawrence, Wales and West Utilities gas emergency service manager for Exeter, said no evidence of a leak was found after checks were done in the school and surrounding area.

"As a precaution, our engineer isolated the gas supply into the school, making it safe," Mr Lawrence said.

"As the internal pipework is not part of our network it is now being inspected by the school’s own gas safe registered engineer."