Classes to resume as normal following gas leak at Cahuilla Desert Academy

The Southern California Gas Company has pinched off the gas leak that evacuated Cahuilla Desert Academy in Coachella Wednesday morning. The gas leak originated from a gas line at the school at about 8:15 a.m.

CVUSD officials said the gas company cleared the school after working to fix the gas leak for several hours and classes are scheduled to resume as normal on Thursday.

Cal Fire initially reported that the gas leak originated from a construction site across from the school on Avenue 52.

According to officials with the Coachella Valley Unified School District, after site administrators noticed the strong odor of gas, Cal Fire and the Southern California Gas Company immediately shut off the gas, while ordering all students to evacuate as a safety precaution.

The students were taken to Coachella Valley High School on school buses and their parents were asked to pick up their kids at the high school.

Officials said an adult was taken to the hospital by ambulance and one child reported an illness unrelated to the gas leak. The child’s parents were called to pick up the student.

According to the release, once students were safely taken off campus, CDA school administrators contacted parents and legal guardians through ConnectEd phone calls and text messages, informing them about the evacuation and where to pick up their children. Officials said parents were also notified through social media.

District officials made sure the students had water, snacks and lunch while waiting for their parents at the high school.

There was no word exactly what caused the gas leak.