Updated as of 12:25 March 7 to include additional information from an E-Alert.
At 10:42 a.m., an E-Alert sent out by Elon University warned the campus of a gas leak and told the community to stay clear of the Historic Neighborhood until further notice.
The smell of gasoline had begun to waft over the neighborhood twenty minutes earlier. Soon after, five fire engines congregated on East Haggard and blocked off street access. Students in buildings around the Duke Building were evacuated to the outside throughout the Historic Neighborhood, staying clear of the leak.
Town of Elon Fire Division Chief Brandon Waddell said the leak was pretty significant between the buildings in the Historic Neighborhood.
“I've had mixed information from it being a two to a four inch supply line that runs through the middle of all these buildings, it was hit and damaged,” Waddell said.
Waddell said there are many personnel on scene because of the evacuations around the Duke Building.
“We got a lot of buildings that we have to evacuate and get people out of the area,” Waddell said.
The Town of Elon Fire Department, Gibsonville Fire Department, Piedmont Gas and Elon University Campus Safety and Police responded.
Freshman Addison Hobgood, who lives in the Carolina Residence Hall, said her first thought when the fire alarm woke her up was that somebody was curling their hair and accidentally set it off. Her first indication that this was different was the smell of gasoline.
“It was a very rude awakening,” Hobgood said. “It was like 10:30, we heard this blaring. We step outside and I smell this gas, and I’m just like, ‘oh my god.’”
Hobgood said she has never seen fire personnel bring out a fire hose before.
“Usually they just go assess the building, what floor it happened on, what room,” Hobgood said.
Officials instructed Hobgood and those with her to get away. They went to the nearby academic village.
As of 11:18 a.m., no hazards were released, according to Waddell.
In an E-Alert at 11:19 a.m., it states that the gas leak has been located and crews are on scene to resolve the issue, and urged people to stay clear of the area.
In an email from Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley, he stated that the repair to the gas line will take about two hours.
“During that time it is safe to be in the area, but some systems powered by natural gas, such as water heaters, will not be operational or will come back online gradually as they can be restored safely,” Dooley wrote in the email.
McEwen Dining Hall will be closed for brunch March 7 and will plan to reopen for dinner, according to the email.
As of 12:14 p.m., safety checks have been completed and students are able to reenter buildings, according to an E-Alert. Haggard Avenue is back open.