By Will Pafford, Staff Writer

An independent contractor damaged a gas line behind Eanes Elementary causing a temporary gas leak Dec. 4. 

No one was injured, but students were moved to the front of the school while Texas Gas Service employees sealed the leak. 

The contractor, Pitts Construction, was digging behind the school while working on the West Lake Hills wastewater project when workers damaged the line. 

Mike Lacey, the district chief for Travis County Emergency Service Districts 3 and 9, said the campus was not in danger during the leak. 

Lacey said winds were blowing the gas away from the school. 

Westlake Fire Department firefighters taped off a small “hot zone” around the leak and stood by the Texas Gas Service employees with a fire hose while the workers patched the line. 

Firefighters covered the workers in case of a spark, Lacey said. 

Lacey said the gas leak began around noon and was repaired within 45 minutes.