Monday morning, Dec. 2, Hilltoppers were notified via a Remind message that instead of heading to their first period classrooms, that they should go to Biester Gym as “the fire department and Nicor investigate a smell of gas,” after building maintenance detected the leak during their daily morning check in the boiler room and immediately contacted 911.
Assistant Chief of the Glen Ellyn Fire Department, Kirk Odiet confirmed that the gas leak was in the boiler room and only released natural gas. He said that “our investigation found that there were 2 small leaks emanating from 2 of the boilers. Those boilers were shut down and NICOR was notified to respond to the scene. We ventilated the areas surrounding the boiler room and further metering determined that there was no longer any natural gas in the ambient air.”
The all clear was given around ten minutes after 8 a.m. and over 2,000 students made their way across North Ellyn Ave to their first period class. Administration quickly reworked a new bell schedule to accommodate the interruption of the morning’s events by cutting out Glenbard Hour.
Mr. Odiet says that “there is no reason for concern. Repairs to the boilers will be made before they are turned back on.”