HOCKLEY, Texas — A suspected gas leak prompted the evacuation of one Waller Independent School District elementary campus and precautionary shelter-in-place orders at two nearby schools Friday morning as emergency crews worked to contain the situation and ensure student safety.
According to the Spring Creek Fire Department, elevated gas levels were detected at Roberts Road Elementary School shortly after the start of the school day. Officials determined that conditions inside the building were unsafe, leading administrators and first responders to evacuate students and staff to secure outdoor areas while responders investigated the source of the odor. District officials confirmed that all occupants exited the campus safely and that crisis response protocols were immediately activated.
Emergency personnel reported that two pediatric patients were transported to a hospital with respiratory complaints. Their conditions were not disclosed, but authorities described the symptoms as precautionary and related to exposure concerns. Families were urged to avoid the area to allow first responders clear access to the campus and surrounding roads.
To maintain safety and continuity, Waller ISD arranged buses to move Roberts Road Elementary students to Waller High School for reunification. Parents and guardians were directed to a designated pickup location and asked to bring identification. District leaders emphasized patience and cooperation as staff managed transportation and student accountability procedures.
Nearby Lowe Elementary was placed under a shelter-in-place order as a precaution. School officials said all students and staff remained safe indoors. About five miles southwest, Salyards Middle School in Cy-Fair ISD also reported a strong odor and enacted similar protective measures. Administrators closed outside air dampers to prevent outside air from entering the building while instruction continued inside classrooms.
The Cy-Fair Fire Department, CenterPoint Energy crews, and Harris County hazardous materials teams responded to assist with the investigation. Officials later identified the odor as mercaptan, a sulfur-based compound commonly added to natural gas for detection purposes. Authorities described the substance as foul-smelling but not harmful at the levels detected.
Investigators traced the source to an industrial facility on Premium Drive that specializes in railcar cleaning. The release reportedly occurred during a routine cleaning process. By late morning, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office said the leak had dissipated and there was no ongoing threat to the public.
CenterPoint Energy stated that its crews worked alongside first responders to assess the situation and take appropriate safety precautions. The company reminded residents that anyone who smells natural gas should leave the area immediately and report it to emergency services or the utility provider.
School officials continued to monitor conditions throughout the day and said families would receive updates if circumstances changed, reiterating that student and staff safety remained the district’s top priority.
