Two Clark County schools evacuated for gas odor

Two Clark County schools were evacuated Thursday morning for possible gas leaks.

Students at Daybreak Primary and Middle Schools were briefly evacuated after a staff member smelled an odor similar to rotten eggs, Battle Ground Public Schools spokeswoman Rita Sanders said.

Crews from Clark County Fire District 3 were called to the school, 1900 N.W. 20th Ave. in Battle Ground, at about 9:30 a.m.

Firefighters turned off gas to the building and crews from Northwest Natural Gas Co. responded, but authorities on the scene eventually determined that the smell was coming from nearby construction, Sanders said. School resumed about 30 minutes later.

Later the same morning, Columbia River High School was also evacuated for the smell of gas — but that one turned out to be the real deal.

Students were evacuated to the stadium at about 10:30 a.m. for a slight odor of gas, Vancouver Public Schools spokeswoman Pat Nuzzo said.

Crews from Clark County Fire District 6 and crews from the gas company responded and found a faulty gas valve in the science wing of the school, Nuzzo said. Gas to the school was turned off, and school officials were working with the gas company employees to resolve the problem, she said.

The building was cleared and students returned to class at about 11:10 a.m., Nuzzo said.