Authorities believe a contractor drilling into a sidewalk may have caused a gas line leak on Tusculum Boulevard late Tuesday morning which forced the temporary closure of part of the roadway and an evacuation at Greeneville High School.
Greeneville Fire Chief Alan Shipley told Radio Greeneville News ATMOS crews were still on the scene late Tuesday afternoon making repairs.
Tusculum Boulevard was closed between Oak Grove Avenue and College Street while emergency crews responded to the 11:12 am call.
Students at Greeneville High School were evacuated to the football field at Burley Stadium as a precaution. City Schools Assistant Director of Administration Dr. Jason Horne said bus riders and drivers were later released from the stadium. Car riders were picked up at First Baptist Church. For safety reasons, students and staff were not permitted to return to the building to retrieve personal belongings or keys. All student belongings were to remain inside the building overnight and be retrieved when school resumed on a regular schedule today.
Students at Walters State Community College’s Niswonger Campus remained in their classrooms during the incident.
Greeneville Police handled traffic control in the affected area. Several fire engines and 12 firefighters also initially responded to the scene.
