Jeff Caldwell of Hudson Construction breaks apart dirt and concrete during renovation at Knoch High School in December 2023. Butler Eagle file photo

An ongoing renovation project at Knoch high and middle schools briefly was put on hold just before 11 a.m. Thursday when the company completing the work accidentally struck a gas line operated by Peoples Gas.

According to Knoch School District superintendent David Foley, the gas company arrived within minutes to deactivate the line, and the few people who were in the building at the time were evacuated.

At the time, the school was hosting K-STEAM Scholars Camp, a science-focused summer school which, according to Foley, consisted of seven students.

“Once the gas was shut off, the gas company said it was safe to go back into the school,” Foley said. “But at that point, we were almost done with STEAM camp for the day. It only goes to lunchtime.”

At the time the line was struck, contractors were performing excavation work “on the site out in front of the gymnasium,” Foley said. “Building in the roads and building in the parking lot.”