Havre Middle School evacuated for suspected gas leak this morning

Havre Middle School evacuated all students, faculty and staff after a suspected gas leak was reported this morning.

Havre Public Schools informed the Havre Daily News at 8:53 a.m. the school had been evacuated and all students were safe.

It reported at 9:21 that all was clear and class was back in session.

Superintendent Andy Carlson said it was not a gas leak, the smell was due to a hose connected to the ovens in the home economics area.

“It was a very evident gas smell,” he said.

NorthWestern Energy came by the Middle School to check it out and informed school officials when it was safe for everyone to return to the building.

He added that Havre public schools have drills that follow safety protocols including for gas leaks to get everyone out of the building and outside for safety.

“For school being back in session for about six to seven days, the middle schoolers handled it in a quick and orderly fashion to get out of the building,” Carlson said.