Reno firefighters Thursday afternoon responded to a reported gas line break as a result of construction activity on Washoe County School District property near the intersection of
Laurel Street and Valley Road that caused the evacuation of three nearby structures.

About 30 fire personnel responded to the incident that was reported at about 2:10 p.m. with two ladder trucks, four fire engines and including two battalion chiefs and a safety officer. Firefighters assisted with evacuation of about 26 people from a school district print shop and summer school office adjacent to the construction site, where a new school district parking lot is being built, and a residential duplex across the street from the site. Firefighters surveyed other adjacent school district buildings with gas meters and determined there were no noticeable levels in those structures making evacuation of those structures unnecessary.

Officers from the Reno Police Department, Washoe County School Police and the University of Nevada Reno Police Department also responded to the scene and assisted with traffic control including temporary closure of
Valley Road.

Sierra Pacific Power Company personnel were on scene shortly after the break and secured the gas line pending repairs. Some residential units on Laurel were reportedly without gas service for a short period of time. No injuries were reported.

A backhoe working on the site apparently caused the gas line rupture.