Congressional Debate to Go Ahead as Planned Despite Earlier Gas Leak

The Congressional debate scheduled for Wednesday night at Danvers High School, which was evacuated earlier in the day because of a nearby gas main break, will go ahead as scheduled.

School Superintendent Lisa Dana said students and staff were allowed back in the building at 3:20 p.m. and everything is back to normal. She said the debate, scheduled for 7 p.m. in the auditorium, will happen as scheduled.

U.S. Rep. John Tierney, (D-Salem) and Republican challenger Richard Tisei will meet for their second debate of the campaign. Libertarian candidate Daniel Fishman will also join them. All three candidates are vying to represent the Sixth Congressional District, which includes Danvers.

Construction workers at the high school construction site struck a gas main at 2:05 p.m. The building remained vacated until 3:20 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m., supporters of both Tierney and Tisei were lining up with large signs along Cabot Road. Danvers police were also called to the area for a report of a dispute between supporters and are standing by in front of the school.