Contractors renovating dormitories at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point accidentally caused a gas leak the morning of Feb. 20, forcing a temporary evacuation of students.
Rogers, Jones and Cleveland Halls were evacuated at 10:30 a.m. for about two hours as academy security personnel and the Great Neck Alert Fire Company responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.
“The contractor working on the barracks renovation severed a gas main,” said Academy Director of External Affairs Marcie Katcher. “Those barracks were immediately evacuated as a precaution.”
The contractor and the academy immediately reported the leak to authorities, according to Katcher, and gas flow was quickly shut off to the dorms.
“National Grid helped secure the leak quickly in turning off the shutoff valve,” Katcher said.
The academy is currently undergoing several major capital improvement projects, part of improvement efforts spearheaded by Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood.
Massachusetts-based Kallidus Technologies won a $10.3 million contract to renovate Rogers Hall on August 10, 2012, and Inwood-based Nagan Construction was awarded a $6.2 million contract to renovate Delano Hall two weeks later. Constrution is also underway at the Mallory Pier, which serves as a docking point for Academy and Coast Guard vessels.
The renovation has been restarted following the leak, according to Katcher.
