East Lyme High School students evacuated for ventilation unit failure
May 1—EAST LYME — High school students were briefly evacuated Wednesday afternoon for what school officials said was smoke in the building.
East Lyme Fire Service acting Assistant Chief Erik Quinn said firefighters responding to the 12:52 p.m. call searched the building with thermal imaging cameras to find a rooftop ventilation unit had failed, resulting in a terrible odor that was sucked through the system.
There was no fire resulting from what he said was likely an issue with a belt. Firefighters secured the unit and notified school maintenance workers.
Quinn at 1:21 p.m. said students were cleared to return to the building.
School officials in a message to families said the students and staff members were promptly and safely evacuated.
East Lyme firefighters were aided by crews from Waterford.
