East Orange School Closed After ‘Irritating’ Fumes Waft Into Building

EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange officials closed a local school for a day after ongoing work at a nearby gas station caused fumes to waft into the building, authorities said.

Dionne Warwick Institute, which is located at 120 Central Avenue, was closed Wednesday. It will reopen Thursday morning, Superintendent AbdulSaleem Hasan said in a message to the community.

Hasan wrote:

“This afternoon, it was brought to my attention by the East Orange Fire Department that the ongoing excavation in the gas station next door to Warwick Institute was causing fumes to enter the school building. It was reported that the fumes were irritating to students and staff. Due to the strong odor of the fumes, the East Orange Fire Department has mandated that we close the school for 24 hours to ensure the safety of all. Unfortunately, this means that Warwick Institute will be closed on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. The school will reopen on Thursday, April 7, 2022 in morning. We are apologizing for this inconvenience; but the health and safety for everyone continues to be a top priority for the East Orange School District.”

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