UPDATE @ 12 p.m.: New Miami Schools closed today after a gas line issue this morning.
The incident in St. Clair Twp. turned out not to be a gas leak, according to Duke Energy spokeswoman Sally Thelen.
Some gas had been released into the air by a pressure valve, which is done to alert crews a repair is needed.
“It is an automated safety thing,” Thelen said. “Gas is released into the air when pressure builds up. There was no leak at all.”
St. Clair Fire Chief Larry Anglin confirmed there was no leak, but Seven Mile Avenue was closed while Duke Energy workers make repairs because the line runs close to the road.
New Miami Local Schools officials were unsure if the gas would need to be shut off while repairs were made, so the district closed its building campus for the day.
Butler County dispatchers said township fire and EMS units were initially sent to the area outside the high school on Seven Mile Avenue for a report of a gas leak.
INITIAL REPORT:
New Miami High School has been evacuated due to a gas leak.
The gas leak was reported around 7:40 a.m. on the grounds of New Miami H.S.
The road is back open after it was blocked for a short time. Fire crews and deputies are on scene.
Crews are working to repair the leak.