2 Lawrence elementary schools cleared after report of natural gas smell

LAWRENCE, Mass. — UPDATES

9:13 a.m. - The mayor of Lawrence is stressing that the incidents reported at the schools are in no way related to the Sept. 13 gas explosions and fires and are related to routine maintenance work. Columbia Gas is on the scene. Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said in a tweet that:

• Parthum School was evacuated and students are being moved to another school. A boiler leaking gas and a rooftop unit is believed to be the issue

• Oliver School has had its air tested and no gas was found

• Arlington School had a boiler that was being prepped for winter. Gas was being cleared as part of the work and no leaks were found.

8:53 a.m. - 

All schools have now been cleared. The Lawrence Fire Chief said work on a rooftop unit was the cause of the smell at Parthum Elementary. All future work will only be done on nights and weekends going forward. Nothing was found at Oliver School.

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Two elementary schools in Lawrence have been evacuated because of a natural gas smell, according to local police.

The Parthum Elementary School and the Oliver Partnership School are both on Haverhill Street.

Parents tell us the kids at the Oliver School are already heading back inside.

The police chief told Boston 25 News crews are purging gas lines in the area so that could be the reason for the smell.

Lawrence is still dealing with the aftermath of last month’s gas explosions, so any smell of gas is unsettling.

MORE: Timeline of events during Merrimack Valley gas explosions

Cox Media Group