Construction crews ruptured a natural gas line in one of the new Sproul buildings this morning, leading to the precautionary evacuation of about one thousand students from their dorm rooms for about an hour.
At 9:49 a.m., a two-inch hole was torn into a gas line located in the Sproul construction site, saidUCLA spokesman Ricardo Vazquez. Although the rupture occurred during construction, it still remains unclear how exactly it happened.
The gas line was turned off soon after the leak was reported and no students were harmed, Vazquez said.
About 800 students from Sproul Hall and 200 students from Delta Terrace were evacuated, Vazquez said. Cafe 1919 and the Hilltop store, both of which use the gas line, were also evacuated. Students and workers were allowed to re-enter the dorm buildings at about 11 a.m. but the store and dining center will remain closed until the gas line can be fixed, which should take about two hours.
The rupture in the gas line occurred during this quarter’s finals week. Some students who were evacuated were frustrated that the evacuation cut into their study time.
“I’m just annoyed, because we have finals soon … every moment is precious,” said Kenny Mishler, a first-year undeclared student who was among the students who were evacuated to Sunset Plaza.
Compiled by Erin Donnelly, Bruin senior staff, with contributing reports from Kristen Taketa, Bruin reporter.