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Minivan Crashes Into San Rafael School, Causes Gas Leak

SAN RAFAEL (CBS SF) -- A minivan plowed into the side of a San Rafael elementary school Thursday evening, causing a gas leak and potentially shutting down the school Friday, according to the San Rafael fire chief.

The van hit the side of Laurel Dell Elementary School at 225 Woodland Ave. right at the PG&E service connections for gas and electric at 5:47 p.m., fire Chief Chris Gray said.

The collision caused the gas line to rupture and knocked out electricity in the building. Two people in the van suffered minor injuries, Gray said.

But, given the leaking gas and damaged electric equipment, Gray said that firefighters managed to avert what could have been a much larger catastrophe.

A holiday concert was planned at the school Thursday night, and firefighters helped students move props to a nearby church so that the show could go on.

The school remained without power and gas Thursday night and it was unclear whether school would be canceled in the morning, Gray said.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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