Update, 3:30 p.m.: The ruptured gas line was successfully repaired this afternoon by Public Service, according to Patrick Linfante, assistant vice president of Public Safety.
At 3:15 p.m., a broadcast email was also sent to the Seton Hall community confirming the repair.
According to the email, all buildings and services can resume normal operations for the remainder of the day.
--
A gas line ruptured today at Seton Hall University during onsite construction in the parking lot, according to a broadcast email sent by Student Affairs this afternoon.
According to the email, during construction, a gas line was "inadvertently struck" causing Cabrini, Serra, Neumann, and Fahy Halls to be evacuated as precaution.
Senior Omar Ahmad, who is living in Serra Hall for summer break housing, was evacuated from his room by Public Safety and Security.
"Public Safety knocked on my door and told me there was a gas leak and to evacuate as soon as possible," Ahmad said. "They weren't frantic, but said it was going to be ‘a while' and told me to go the University Center."
As well as evacuating several buildings on campus, the broadcast email also stated that all traffic was being diverted from the front of campus, to the Ward Gate.
Also according to the email, South Orange Fire Department and Public Service were on the scene.
While the email stated that there was no immediate danger it stressed that all are requested to avoid the area until further notice.
The Setonian reached out to Public Safety and Security but they did not return request for comment by press time.
Facilities and Engineering and Housing and Residence Life were also contacted but they as well did not return request for comment by press time.
Nicholas Parco can be reached at Nicholas.parco@student.shu.edu
Ashley Duvall can be reached at Ashley.duvall@student.shu.edu
Charlotte Lewis can be reached at Charlotte.Lewis@student.shu.edu
