A gas line was split open Thursday in the parking lot of San Jacinto High School, prompting firefighters to evacuate the campus as a precaution.
The leak was reported at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the parking area near the intersection of Tiger Lane and North Ramona Boulevard, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said two engine crews were sent to the location and immediately detected the smell of natural gas outside the high school, where classes were already letting out for the day. Students and staff were directed to exit the grounds — away from where the gas line had been damaged, according to reports from the scene.
Crews ultimately confirmed that a three-inch main located about four feet beneath the surface had been punctured as a result of construction activity. SoCal Gas Co. technicians were immediately summoned to make repairs. In the meantime, firefighters were able to shut off the gas at the campus.
It was unclear why the construction workers had not confirmed the presence of the line prior to starting work at the site.