Students at a Cumberland County high school got a brief respite from classes today.
Cedar Cliff High School was evacuated after a report of an unusual odor. Firefighters from Lower Allen Township, New Cumberland, Camp Hill and the West Shore Bureau of Fire were dispatched to the school at the 1300 block of Carlisle Road. Emergency medical crews were also on scene.
Around 11:30 this morning two employees at the school became ill after inhaling an unusual odor in one of the restrooms. As a precaution, about 1,300 students, faculty and staff were evacuated from the building. Emergency personnel responded. They immediately began a search of the high school.
Frank Williamson, Public Safety Director, Lower Allen Township said no dangerous chemicals or gasses were found in the school. “It appears at this point it was a sewer gas odor coming out. We metered the building. We didn’t find any hazardous environment. Once we cleared the entire building students were left back in. Being with the cold weather, we cleared the auditorium and allowed some kids in there. Others went to Highland Elementary to get them in the warmth till we could clear the entire building.”
The odor was contained to an isolated rest room on the ground floor. No students were involved in the incident. One member of the school was transported to a hospital as a precaution.
Williamson said initial reports that it was a natural gas leak were false. He also credited school officials with using good sense in evacuating the building and calling for fire department assistance.
Cedar Cliff High School was evacuated after a report of an unusual odor. Firefighters from Lower Allen Township, New Cumberland, Camp Hill and the West Shore Bureau of Fire were dispatched to the school at the 1300 block of Carlisle Road. Emergency medical crews were also on scene.
Around 11:30 this morning two employees at the school became ill after inhaling an unusual odor in one of the restrooms. As a precaution, about 1,300 students, faculty and staff were evacuated from the building. Emergency personnel responded. They immediately began a search of the high school.
Frank Williamson, Public Safety Director, Lower Allen Township said no dangerous chemicals or gasses were found in the school. “It appears at this point it was a sewer gas odor coming out. We metered the building. We didn’t find any hazardous environment. Once we cleared the entire building students were left back in. Being with the cold weather, we cleared the auditorium and allowed some kids in there. Others went to Highland Elementary to get them in the warmth till we could clear the entire building.”
The odor was contained to an isolated rest room on the ground floor. No students were involved in the incident. One member of the school was transported to a hospital as a precaution.
Williamson said initial reports that it was a natural gas leak were false. He also credited school officials with using good sense in evacuating the building and calling for fire department assistance.