Gaseous odors outside Kolthoff and Smith Halls on Monday evening forced the University’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety to evacuate the buildings and block off the immediate area for about 2 1/2 hours.
Lt. Steve Johnson of the University Police Department said they received a 911 call at 7:15 p.m. complaining about the smell. The police and fire departments responded, and the buildings were immediately evacuated. Investigators were unable to determine if the smell was of natural gas or another chemical, but the smell’s source was never found.
The smell eventually dissipated and the health and safety department gave an all-clear order at 9:35 p.m.
Police received one phone call from parents of a student who was complaining of nausea. The student was referred to the emergency room at Fairview-University Medical Center by health and safety officials. No other injuries were reported.
— Daily staff