Tatem School Evacuated For Gas Leak In Haddonfield: Police

HADDONFIELD, NJ — Due to a gas leak, the Tatem School has been evacuated to the Christ of King School, Haddonfield police announced Tuesday afternoon. Police said that all the children are safe and accounted for, and the school will be closed for the rest of the day.

The line was not a main line, and no one was hurt in any way, Haddonfield Superintendent of Schools Larry Mussoline said. School officials acted perfectly and calmly out of an abundance of caution, according to Mussoline.

"A construction company putting in an outdoor classroom ruptured an ancillary gas line connecting to a generator," Mussoline said. "It wasn’t a main line, but we didn’t know that when we moved the students. The line is being repaired as we speak and the building will be open tomorrow for school."

The district can also simply shut off this line since it is not a main, he said. Parents are asked to respond to the Christ of King Church for reunification. Police advise parents to be patient when picking up their child. The children’s safety is of upmost importance and the school has to verify each child is accounted for, police said.

"I would like to commend the principal, staff, students and parents for the outstanding evacuation and reunification process," Haddonfield Police Chief Jason Cutler said. "At all times the students' well-being was the foremost priority from the initial evacuation to the orderly reunification process. The police department along with the fire department and Office of Emergency Management constantly train with the school's administration and staff for these types of emergencies. I couldn't be more proud of today's efforts."