Smell of smoke disrupts classes at Struthers Middle School

September 23, 2015 at 12:03a.m.

By SARAH LEHR

STRUTHERS

Students were set to return to classes at Struthers Middle School today after an episode Tuesday in which the building was evacuated because of a report of smoke.

Firefighters and police officers responded to the scene about 10 a.m. and found no flames.

As a precaution, all middle-school students evacuated the building at 800 Fifth St. and went to the fieldhouse at Struthers High School at 100 Euclid Ave.

Classes resumed at the middle school before noon.

“All students exited the building in a safe and timely manner and made it to their evacuation points,” Superintendent Joseph Nohra said.

Officials said a malfunctioning air conditioner on the building’s roof emitted smoke and set off the fire alarm. The school called in a technician to fix the air conditioner.

Officials cleared fumes from the building before students re-entered, according to a district press release.

A number of parents gathered outside the building Tuesday morning. Some of them had received text messages from their children about the building being evacuated.

Approximately 590 students in fifth through eighth grade attend the middle school.