Gas leak shuts down streets, closes school in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - A natural gas leak in Jacksonville has shut down several street and has closed a nearby school

The leak near Chaney Ave and Warlick Street is currently under repair by Piedmont Natural Gas.

Students at Infant of Prague Catholic School were evacuated from their building as natural gas could be smelled inside. Classes were dismissed early today, but school staff couldn’t leave because their parking lot was within the closed-off area for the gas leak.

City officials are asking drivers to avoid the area of Chaney Avenue between Johnson Blvd and New Bridge Street, and the surrounding area until repairs are complete.

It’s not yet known what caused the gas leak.