The van hit the side of Laurel Dell Elementary School at 225 Woodland Ave. right at the PG&E service connections for gas and electric at 5:47 p.m., Fire Chief Chris Gray said.
The collision caused the gas line to rupture and knocked out electricity in the building, according to Gray.
Two people in the van suffered minor injuries, Gray said.
Given the leaking gas and damaged electrical equipment, Gray said that firefighters managed to avert what could have been a much larger catastrophe.
A holiday concert was planned at the school Thursday night, and firefighters helped students move props to a nearby church so that the show could go on.
The school remains without power and gas this morning. School officials said they expect full utility issues to be resolved over the weekend, with classes resuming on Monday.
