The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have been mobilised to a school in Sandown this afternoon (Thursday) following reports of the smell of gas.
Fire appliances from Newport and Shanklin – including the Rescue Tender from Newport – have been called to The Bay CE School Secondary Site (formally Sandown Bay Academy) off of the Fairway in Sandown.
Firefighters were seen responding to the secondary school at around 13:15 and SGN engineers are also on scene.
Hampshire Fire Control have confirmed to Island Echo that the smell of gas has been reported, but that it is also reported elsewhere in The Bay.
It is thought the smell is from a ‘gas cloud’ caused by a tanker venting its tanks out to sea – a regular occurrence in the area.
A gas smell has been reported over Newport today.
No students have been evacuated at this stage.
UPDATE @ 13:40 – Fire crews have now stood down from the incident with all resources returning to their home station.
The incident has been deemed a false alarm with good intent.
UPDATE @ 14:00 – In a statement, The Bay School has said:
“Due to the smell of gas we have called the Fire Brigade and the gas company as a precaution.
“Early indications suggest that the smell was due to a vessel near Portsmouth.
“We can report that it has been verified that there are no issues on site and students are safe.
“The emergency services have confirmed that an evacuation is not necessary and we can continue with the day as normal”.
Must have been spouts on lunch time menu
Bill you’re hilarious
In my day, it would have been a stink bomb from the joke shop.
Bussel spout