Crime & Safety
'Suspicious Circumstance' At SMC School Prompts Shelter In Place
UPDATED: Sheriff's officials say students and staff at Portola Elementary School are sheltering in place.
SAN BRUNO, CA — Law enforcement officials investigated "a suspicious circumstance" at a Peninsula school Wednesday afternoon, prompting them to urge people to stay away from the area for a brief time. However, by 1:45 p.m., the scene was cleared.
The incident was reported at Portola Elementary School in San Bruno, San Mateo County emergency officials said Wednesday afternoon. The county issued an alert at 12:54 p.m. about the school at 300 Amador Ave., saying there were no injuries to any students or staff there.
About 30 minutes later, San Bruno police announced on Twitter that a hazardous materials team conducted testing and determined "the substance" to be harmless.
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No injuries were reported and authorities have not elaborated on what the substance was or what led to the alert.
Police and fire officials did not immediately respond to requests for information.
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— Bay City News Service contributed to this report
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