PECI Students Temporarily Relocated After Gas Odour Detected
Date: November 2, 2023
Students and staff at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute (PECI) were temporarily evacuated on Thursday after a gas odour was detected inside the school.
As a precaution, students were escorted under staff supervision to the Picton arena, where they remained while emergency crews assessed the situation. Prince Edward County Fire & Rescue attended the scene, and officials confirmed that no one was injured.
The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board asked parents and caregivers to avoid the arena until after 1 p.m., allowing staff time to ensure all students arrived safely and attendance was completed.
An update later provided to families explained that the odour was caused when the school’s air exchange system drew in outside air during high winds, allowing the smell of gas to circulate through the building. Officials confirmed there was no internal gas leak.
Classes were set to resume Friday morning. Students not picked up early were dismissed at the regular time from the arena, with school buses operating on their normal schedules from that location. School staff remained with students throughout the incident.
Families were notified through email and SMS updates issued by the school board.
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