KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — UPDATE (10 p.m.): The Knox County Sheriff's Office and Knox County Schools said they learned a contract custodian had intentionally left the gas valve on overnight at the school.
They said the custodian was terminated from his job and taken into custody on Thursday.
They said the building was cleared by law enforcement and the school would return to normal operations on Friday.
--
Hardin Valley Academy had to be evacuated Thursday after the smell of gas filled the halls.
A spokesperson for Knox County Schools said classes would be dismissed early at 1 p.m.
According to KCS, a gas valve was left open in one of the science labs overnight, causing a strong gas smell to fill the hallways. KCS said the air was tested and no trace of gas was detected, but officials decided to evacuate and dismiss early due to the odor out of precaution.
