School Evacuated After Gas Leak from Burger Shop in Belize City

Classes at Belize Elementary School and Belize High School were cancelled today after a gas leak from a burger shop in front of the campus forced a full evacuation around 11:30 a.m.

Principal Majiba Sharp said staff noticed the smell of butane spreading across the campus. “The smell was getting into our classrooms and even outside all around the campus. So we activated our emergency plan, which is to dismiss them right away and call the fire department,” she said, noting that the leak appeared to come from the burger shop directly in front of the school.

Parents were notified immediately through text messages, emails, and class chats. Sharp said the messages went out in seconds, allowing parents to arrive quickly to pick up their children. “Every single class has a class chat. So they will get it from me, from email and from their class teacher,” she said.

Firefighters later confirmed the leak was caused by a hole in the burger shop’s gas tank. They removed the damaged tank and declared the situation under control. ‘It was wise of the school to act swiftly and evacuate all the students,’ one firefighter told News Five.

Students are expected to return to classes tomorrow.