A gas leak occurred in the Gymnasium on Feb. 25 at Fresno City College. The district police sent a mass text to enrolled students at 10:57 a.m., and instructed all individuals to evacuate the building. No one was injured or hurt.

First responders were able to identify a faulty gas shut-off valve and handled the problem within the hour. The doors of the Gymnasium were opened for ventilation and dispersion of the gas.

Darren Cousineau, the environmental health and risk management director for the State Community College District, said the failure was not related to poor management or installation.

“Because it’s a mechanical device, mechanical devices do fail on occasion,” Cousineau said.

Gas entered the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

Students gathered outside while waiting to return back into the gym. Some stood in disbelief.

“I thought they were lying,” Remni White, a player for the FCC women’s basketball team, said.
Her teammate Catherine Spears agreed.

Zakee Shakoor, a player for FCC’s men’s basketball team, said his teammate Mike Sarden was on the court playing basketball when he smelled an odor.

“I didn’t think they were lying,” Shakoor said.

An “all clear” mass text was sent by the district police at 11:39 a.m. Cousineau had went inside with a gas meter instrument to ensure the space was safe to reenter. Students and staff were allowed to return to their normal schedules.

“I saw a perfect response from our police department and our maintenance department,” Cousineau said.

Cousineau recommended students be enrolled in the 1st2know Emergency Alert Notifications service.