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Mystery Gas Smell Prompts School Evacuations In Downtown Walnut Creek

WALNUT CREEK (CBS SF) - A strong smell of natural gas in downtown Walnut Creek prompted the evacuation of at least two schools in the area, according to authorities.

Walnut Creek Police said around 8:30 a.m., the department began receiving calls about the gas odor in the downtown area near Interstate 680 and on the Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill border.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

Students at Las Lomas High School at 1460 S. Main St. and St. Mary Elementary School at 1158 Bont Lane were evacuated from their classrooms for a time. Shortly after 9 a.m. the smell had dissipated but neither police nor Pacific Gas and Electric crews had identified the source.

The Contra Costa County Fire District was working with PG&E to determine the cause, according to Walnut Creek Police.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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