MAYNARD — West Central School students and staff were evacuated after a gas explosion in the school kitchen Thursday morning. Classes were then canceled for the day.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received the 911 call at 8:55 a.m. with Maynard Fire and Rescue, and Fayette County Emergency Management responding. Oelwein Mercy Ambulance was also there on standby. The explosion occurred behind a wall oven, and no one was injured.
Sheriff Marty Fisher reported gas was immediately shut off and students were taken to the school’s bus barn for safety. Alliant Energy was called to check the gas lines.
The sheriff said with the kitchen closed, school was dismissed for the day and students were taken to Maynard Community Hall to wait for parents and buses. No school is scheduled for Friday due to a teachers’ in-service day. Fisher said school administrators noted it would give them an extra day to look over the equipment and gas lines for a thorough safety check.
“The superintendent, principal and staff conducted a calm and orderly evacuation this morning. They did a great job of getting everybody out easily and quickly. The community should be very proud of them,†Fisher said.
