Fenwick High School evacuated after foul smell from science lab

Students and staffers were evacuated from Bishop Fenwick High School on Wednesday morning after a report of a gas leak coming from a science lab in the Middletown school. Middletown fire crews determined it was not a gas leak but a foul odor of some sort, and the building was re-opened after a delay of 35 minutes. MICHAEL D. CLARK/STAFF

Students and staffers were evacuated from Bishop Fenwick High School on Wednesday morning after a report of a gas leak coming from a science lab in the Middletown school. Middletown fire crews determined it was not a gas leak but a foul odor of some sort, and the building was re-opened after a delay of 35 minutes. MICHAEL D. CLARK/STAFF

A foul smell from a science lab Wednesday forced the evacuation of Middletown’s Bishop Fenwick High School.

School officials said the odor was detected at approximately 11:40 a.m., and as precaution students and staff were evacuated to the school’s adjacent sports stadium.

Middletown Fire crews responded as did crews from Duke Energy. Both determined there was no gas leak and classes resumed at the school, which is located along the eastern border of the city of Middletown just inside the Warren County border.

Students and staffers were allowed to return inside the school about 35 minutes after the evacuation.

“Middletown Fire came to the scene and cleared that it is not a gas leak, and the building is safe to be occupied for the remainder of the day,” said Assistant Principal Jason Umberg.

The school enrolls 530 students in grades nine through 12.

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