Bronx schools evacuated after contractor hits gas main

MORRISANIA, Bronx (WABC) -- A contractor excavating a Bronx roadway accidentally struck a four-inch, high-pressure gas main Tuesday morning.

The incident, which happened at 10:20 a.m. at East 166th Street and Jackson Avenue in the Morrisania section, was near the Morris Educational Campus, located on Boston Road. The building houses four small specialty high schools -- the High School for Violin and Dance, Bronx International High School, the School for Excellence, and the Morris Academy for Collaborative Study.

There was initially an odor of gas, but the FDNY ventilated the building and the smell dissipated.

As a precautionary measure, the FDNY instructed schools to evacuate the building and continue instruction at the alternate location outlined in each school's emergency plan. No injuries were reported.

Con Ed said the gas was shut off, and repairs were being made to the main.

East 166th Street was closed from Boston Road to Forest Avenue.

The FDNY cleared the building at 1:20 p.m., and the schools were instructed to return to the campus.