Gas main break snarls Batavia school traffic

A broken gas main near the new fire station on Main Street in Batavia caused headaches at the high school on Thursday.

The break at 2:12 p.m. closed Main Street from Millview Drive to Randall Road just before school let out and blew natural gas fumes in the direction of the school.

There were no injuries reported, Batavia Fire Department Battalion Chief Randy Banker said. The break in the one-inch line was caused by landscapers working at the new fire station, he said.

Students were dismissed about five minutes early and funneled out the Wilson Street exit with police assistance, Banker said.

"We wanted to get everybody out of the area, and out of the building especially," he said.

Buses ran about 15 to 20 minutes late and students who park on Millview had to wait for emergency vehicles to get through to get to their cars, according to the district.

The gas leak was contained in about 45 minutes and the road re-opened shortly after, Banker said.

After-school activities went on as normal, according to Superintendent Jack Barshinger.