DEMOREST — A smell of gas at a Habersham County school Thursday morning resulted in students being relocated to a nearby church to begin their school day.
"Fairview Elementary School Principal Jennifer Chitwood thought she smelled gas around 7:15 a.m. this morning," Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper said in a statement.
As a result, the fire alarm was activated and those already inside were evacuated from the building, while the fire department and gas company were called.
"The school system maintenance department shut off all gas to the school building," the statement reads.
Students and staff members were taken by bus to The Torch Worship Center, a few miles from the school on Ga. 105 (Cannon Bridge Road).
Atlanta Gas Light and Habersham County Fire Chief Jeff Cain provided the all clear to Cooper about 9:40 a.m.
"After an initial check, no gas leaks were found," Cooper's statement reads. "The gas will remain shut off to the school building for the remainder of the day. A comprehensive check of all gas appliances will be performed this afternoon after all students and staff have left the building."
Cooper said the remainder of the school day will continue as normal, and lunch will be served.
Chitwood utilized the school's OneCall system to notify parents when the event happened, when the students were being moved to The Torch and when students were being returned to campus.
"Our school and system staff handled this situation like professionals," Cooper's statement reads. "We would like thank Atlanta Gas Light and the Habersham County Fire Department for their quick response and help during the event this morning.
"We are also very grateful to Pastor Mike Franklin and The Torch for allowing us to use their facility as a relocation point this morning," Cooper's statement reads. "The staff at The Torch was very helpful during this event."
After-school activities at the school have been canceled for Thursday.
