ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 1996              TAG: 9610290088
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: MONTVALE
SOURCE: JOANNE POINDEXTER

PROPANE GAS LEAK FOUND AT NEW SCHOOL

A propane gas leak outside of Montvale Elementary School did not disrupt classes Monday, although students had to use disposable plates and utensils for breakfast and lunch.

Volunteer firefighters, holding a supper at the school Saturday, discovered the leak, said Principal Ron Mason. He said the gas was cut off, and officials from Suburban Propane Co. in Lynchburg and the fire department determined it was safe to continue the dinner.

The new school on U.S. 460 uses propane for heating and hot water. Because there was no hot water, cafeteria workers served meals on paper plates Monday and had to boil water to clean up.

Mason said Dave Nichols, Bedford County's director of public safety, determined the air quality was fine, and school was held Monday while workers repaired fittings around the gas pipes.

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