WORTHINGTON -- An explosion at Prairie Elementary shortly after noon on Thursday was due to a switch from natural gas to propane, according to Principal Nancy Antoine.
No one was injured in the explosion, which was in the dishwasher, and Antoine said there was no permanent damage. The Worthington Fire Department was on the scene in a matter of moments, but was sent away shortly after arriving.
"The police department said to evacuate the students," Antoine said. "We have an evacuation plan in place, and the teachers did a great job in executing the plan."
The students followed the plan and directions in an organized manner and were only outside for a short time. Members of the Worthington Police Department closed First Avenue Southwest for a short time to allow students to move away from the school and allow fire trucks in.
"Everyone did very well," Antoine said. "And everyone was safe."
