School Back in Session after Gas Odor Prompts Evacuation

Amsterdam Elementary School will proceed as scheduled today, after an odor of gas reported at 10:58 a.m. forced a short evacuation of students and an investigation by township fire officials.

Fire officials determined the building to be safe after checking it with gas meters and students returned to the building. There is no hazard to the students or staff, according to fire officials.

"We checked the whole building," Chief Fire Marshall Chris Weniger said.  "None of our gas meters picked up anything."

The source of the odor is unclear, however, Chief Fire Marshall Weniger said it was unrelated to a Monday gas leak on Valinor Road.

"It could be a couple things," he said.  "It could have been a boiler that needs repairs or a few other things."

Hillsborough Township Fire Companies No. 1, 2 and 3 responded to the scene, which Chief Fire Marshall Weniger said is normal for daytime calls involving the schools.  PSE&G, the local utilities provider for the area, responded to the scene as well.

Though the building has been declared safe, PSE&G will remain on the scene for further checks, Chief Weniger added.