Gas line rupture at Lawrence Central High School delays start of classes Monday

Lawrence Central High School delayed classes early Monday after a gas pipe rupture on the east side of the campus. 

Shortly after 8 a.m. police and firefighters were dispatched to the school at 7300 E. 56th Street to evacuate the building and divert traffic away from the area. Students on school buses were not able to immediately disembark as a precaution. 

The Lawrence Fire Department tweeted about 8:20 a.m. that "crews are on scene at this time with an active gas line rupture. We are waiting the arrival of Citizens Energy to shut the gas off. Please avoid this area."

By 8:55 a.m. the school was clear to reopen after Citizens Energy crews turned off gas to the line. 

Classes, which normally begin at 8:50 a.m., would resume once Citizens Energy gives the all clear, school officials said. 

Nearby Belzer Middle School and Harrison Hill Elementary School were not impacted.

About 9:15 a.m. the school tweeted it was safe to return to class.

At 9:37 a.m. the Lawrence Police Department said East 56th Street was open to traffic. 

The line was ruptured by a contractor working at the school and crews were making repairs.