Gas leak shuts down traffic, forces evacuation of Middleburg Elementary School

MIDDLEBURG — Emergency crews are working to get a gas leak under control on Blanding Blvd.

A Clay County spokesperson told Action News Jax that a construction worker hit a 6-inch gas main that forced all lanes of Blanding Boulevard to be shut down near Middleburg Elementary and Middleburg High Schools and drivers are being rerouted.

But the impacts of the leak go beyond traffic delays. The spokesperson said a nearby commercial business was reportedly evacuated and students and staff at Middleburg Elementary were ordered to shelter in place.

Terri Dennis with the Clay County School District said the gas leak may cause dismissal to be delayed.

The following message was sent to parents following the incident:

All students are safe at Middleburg Elementary at this time. All students within the school are evacuated to the north side of the school due to a gas leak in the area of Everett Avenue in Blanding Boulevard. Please do not come to the school at this time. All the roads are shut down and you will not be able to gain access. Please continue to monitor social media if you can while we put together Robocalls and other information out to family members of students in our school.

This is a developing story.

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