This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Residents of the 100-400 blocks of Cattell St. and adjacent areas near the campus were allowed to return to their homes at about 2:25 p.m. today following an evacuation in the wake of a natural gas leak in the 200 block of Cattell, between March and High streets.
The Easton Police Department notified the College’s Office of Public Safety shortly before 1 p.m. that a gas main had been struck by workers and that the area was being evacuated. Public safety warned members of the campus community to avoid the area via the Omnilert Emergency Alert Service. The service enables students, faculty, and staff to receive text alerts on their cell phones and by email in the event of an emergency on or near campus. As per standard procedure, the public safety office also activated Lafayette’s outdoor alert system to notify the campus that an emergency was in effect and that people should check for Omnilert text and email alerts containing more information about the situation.
Public safety collaborated with the Easton Police, Easton Fire Department, Northampton County emergency management personnel, and UGI during the evacuation. At 2:25 p.m., public safety alerted the campus via Omnilert that authorities had declared the scene of the leak safe. Pedestrian traffic was reopened in the area as UGI worked to make permanent repairs to the gas main.