Recess after gas leak

By Callan Date
A GAS leak at a Pakenham Secondary College construction site forced a section of the school to be evacuated last Thursday as local firefighters and police worked to contain the situation.
College assistant principal Emmanuel Merambeliotis said the gas leak was caused by one of the big excavation machines rupturing the gas main.
“It happened at the worst possible time (2.30pm) and what we did was to evacuate a section of the school that was closest to the gas leak while the rest of the school was forced into lock down to ensure everyone’s safety,” Mr Merambeliotis said.
The gas leak is the latest in a series of incidents that have interrupted the school year.
One student, who did not want to be named, contacted the Gazette to say that VCE students were starting to tire of the constant disruptions during their most important year of school.
“Unfortunately some of the students have been disrupted due to the works but the school is doing its best to ensure everyone isn’t inconvenienced too much,” Mr Merambeliotis said.
He said that when possible the majority of the construction work was scheduled during times when students were not in class.
“What we are trying to do is ensure most of the work takes place after school hours, during weekends and on other days students don’t attend the school.
“One of our biggest concerns is our VCE students and we have ensured no works will take place during exams and during other important periods.”
Mr Merambeliotis said he hoped the yearnine centre and car park would be finished by the end of the term while the work on the senior school should be completed for the return of students in 2007.
Pakenham CFA third lieutenant Graham Love said that five members of his unit attended the scene and evacuated the surrounding area immediately.
“During the construction one of the gas pipes was accidentally dug up and there was a bit of drama trying to locate the leak, but once that was done it was repaired,” Mr Love said.