Emergency responders are on the scene of a gas main break that occurred in a neighborhood in Newark's West Ward a short time ago.
Firefighters and utility crews were called to the vicinity of South Orange Avenue and South 11th Street after receiving calls reporting a gas main break at that location. A preliminary report indicated that crews were on the scene working on the South 11thStreet side of the school during the break.
Emergency crews and school officials evacuated a one block radius which included staff and students from the John F. Kennedy School at around 9:15 a.m.
According to the school's website, John F. Kennedy School is a district-wide middle-secondary special education school that has three programs catering to Autistic, Multiple Disabilities with Moderate Cognitive Involvement and the Medically Fragile students.
City and utility crews from PSE&G are attempting to cap the break at this time.
**UPDATE 10:14 p.m**. All students and staff are safe in neighboring 13th Avenue School.