Quinnipiac University students were evacuated from the Mountainview Residence Hall due to an alleged gas leak around 1:40 p.m. Monday.
Several residents noticed the odor and alerted Public Safety.
“Due to the odor of natural gas at the Mountainview residence hall please remain clear of the area as Hamden fire investigates,” QU alerts wrote in a text and email at 1:51 p.m.
Several Hamden Fire Department trucks and Public Safety vehicles arrived at the scene to investigate.
Students were let back in at 2:04 p.m., however some areas of the building still reported a strong odor.
A Southern Connecticut Gas van arrived outside the building after students arrived back inside.
“Southern Connecticut Gas delivers natural gas and related services to customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut,” according to their website.
Later, at 4:28 p.m., students received an email from Residence Hall Director Shi Malcolm, providing an update.
“The Hamden Fire Department responded, confirmed the smell was gasoline, and did not identify any immediate safety hazard,” Malcolm wrote.
Malcolm advised students to keep windows open if they notice the odor in their room.
“We understand that unexpected situations like this can be concerning, and we want to assure you that your safety remains our top priority,” Malcolm wrote. “The university Facilities staff will continue to monitor the situation and we will share any updates as we receive them.”
On Tuesday at 9:37 a.m. Mountainview residents received an email from Residential Life informing them of repairs being made.
“Please be advised that the gas company will be onsite today, beginning at 9:30AM, to perform a temporary gas shut-off to the building,” Residential Life wrote. “This work is necessary to allow for a repair.”
Due to the gas shut-off, hot water, building heat and dryers will be temporarily affected.
“Our facilities team will be on-site to complete the repair as quickly as possible,” Residential Life wrote. “We expect the gas to be restored within approximately 2 hours, and we appreciate your patience as we work to minimize the disruption.”
This is a developing story and will be updated once more information becomes available.
