A natural gas leak at a construction site near the Bielenberg Sports Center in Woodbury temporarily forced the evacuation of East Ridge High School, authorities said.

Someone reported smelling gas in the school, which is adjacent to the sports center, and notified authorities about 11:20 a.m., Woodbury police spokeswoman Michelle Okada said.

The building was quickly evacuated and classes were canceled, as Xcel Energy crews descended on the scene to repair the leak.

Students were sent to the sports center and Five Oaks Church because of cool temperatures, District 833 spokeswoman Barb Brown said in an e-mail to parents.

"After a review of East Ridge High School by Woodbury Public Safety and Xcel Energy it was determined that the odor was traveling through the building's ventilation system and was an odor from nearby construction," read a statement posted on the district's website.

Students, faculty and staff were allowed back inside the school shortly after 3 p.m. "to pick up their personal items" and resume preparations for the school's playoff football game Friday evening. The school has about 1,700 students in grades 9-12.

LIBOR JANY