East Lothian school and homes evacuated as roads closed off 'due to emergency'

An East Lothian primary school and several homes have been evacuated, with children moved to a nearby church hall.

Following advice from Scottish Gas Networks, St Gabriel's Primary School and Nursery in Prestonpans has been closed for the remainder of the day due to gas mains repair work.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council confirmed pupils were evacuated in line with emergency protocols and both parents and carers have been contacted regarding the situation.

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Pupils are to be collected from St Gabriel's Church Hall and staff will continue to remain with those who can't be collected. SGN has also confirmed two neighbouring homes have been evacuated and road closures are in place on South Grange Avenue between Grange Grove and Grange Crescent East.

A council spokesperson said: "Following advice from SGN, we have moved children from St Gabriel’s Primary School and Nursery to St Gabriel’s Church Hall. School staff supported children to move in line with our planned emergency protocols and to settle in the space, which is familiar to them.

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"Due to the likely repair timescales, we have closed the school for the remainder of the day. We have contacted parents and carers to ask that they collect their children from St Gabriel’s Church Hall. School staff will remain with children for the rest of the day to care for any who cannot be collected. All children are safe and supported.

"SGN has informed us that two neighbouring properties have also been evacuated. The company is dealing directly with the householders affected.

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"An emergency road closure has been put in place on South Grange Avenue between Grange Grove and Grange Crescent East. Our roads team is aware and assisting SGN with its traffic management.

"We continue to be in contact with SGN on the incident, likely timescales for repair and any support required and we will provide further information, including on timescales for school’s reopening, as soon as we can."