Operations Returning to Normal After Buildings on North Campus Evacuated Due to Gas Leaks

(August 19, 2008, 12:45 p.m.) -- Three buildings on the North Campus were evacuated as a safety precaution this morning following two separate natural gas leaks. The evacuation orders have been lifted and repairs are underway.

The Commons was closed for about 45 minutes starting at 9:45 a.m. today when a gas line was apparently ruptured during excavation work nearby. No injuries were reported.

About an hour later, another gas leak was reported in the Ellicott Complex, outdoors between Red Jacket and Porter. All of Red Jacket and a portion of Porter were evacuated while workers brought the leak under control. UB Police said that a staff member in that area was transported to a local hospital after experiencing headaches and dizziness, but they could not confirm whether these symptoms were related to the gas leak. The apparent cause was a leak in a temporary line serving a water boiler.

As of 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, all the affected buildings had reopened. Repairs had been completed at The Commons and repairs were underway at the Ellicott Complex.