A primary school in North West London was evacuated due to a gas leak, prompting precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students and staff. Kenmont Primary School, located in Kensal Green, closed its doors around midday on January 26, requiring parents to pick up their children.
Emergency engineers from Cadent responded swiftly to reports of a gas smell outside the school. A spokesperson for Cadent stated, „Our initial investigations have found an escape on the service pipe leading to the school buildings in the playground. The area has been cordoned off, and there are no gas readings in the school. We will continue to monitor this while we carry out the repair.“ The spokesperson further noted that the cause of the gas escape would be determined after inspecting the pipework, which could reveal whether it was due to damage or aging infrastructure.
Safety Measures and Response
The head teacher made the decision to evacuate the school as a safety precaution. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries among pupils or staff. Cadent aims to complete the necessary repairs later in the afternoon, ensuring the school is safe for a return.
In light of the incident, Cadent reminded the public of the importance of reporting gas smells by calling the national gas emergency service at 0800 111 999, available 24/7. The spokesperson emphasized, „Incidents like this serve as an important reminder to call the national gas emergency service if you smell gas. Put the number on your phone now, as you never know when you might need to call it.“
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigations
As the situation unfolded, only one staff member remained in the building while others assisted parents and students. The London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and local council representatives have been contacted for further comments regarding the incident.
Kenmont Primary School is situated on Valliere Road, just off Harrow Road, within the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The evacuation was executed as a precautionary measure, and the community is now awaiting updates on the repair progress and the school’s reopening.
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