Mars Hill schools were evacuated Wednesday because of a gas leak at the Pineland Farms Potato Co.
School officials were notified at about 8 a.m., and by 8:30 both the Fort Street Elementary School and Central Aroostook Middle-High School were evacuated, Fort Street Principal Heidi Garrison said.
The Mars Hill Fire Department responded, and traffic was stopped on Route 1 near the plant while emergency officials worked at the scene, Assistant Chief Arthur London said.
The leak was resolved shortly after 9 a.m.
“The emergency is over. We’ve notified the schools that had evacuated,” London said. “Traffic has opened back up on Route 1.”
The problem was believed to be a natural gas leak, he said.
Pineland Farms staff were unavailable for comment.
Garrison said the schools would not be going back into session until Thursday morning.
