West Orange High School Temporarily Evacuated Due To Gas Odor

WEST ORANGE, NJ -- Officials temporarily evacuated West Orange High School on Friday after staff noticed an odor that smelled like natural gas in the hallway. The school was eventually declared safe, authorities said.

West Orange High School Principal Hayden Moore released the following statement about the evacuation on Friday:

"At approximately 12:10 p.m. this afternoon, staff members noticed a strong odor that smelled like natural gas in one of the hallways at West Orange High School. We immediately evacuated the building and notified the Police and Fire Department. The West Orange Fire Department responded and found that the smell had largely dissipated. The Fire Department tested the air and at approximately 12:45 declared the building safe for re-entry. Out of a concern for the origin of the odor, PSE&G was called to the scene, and PSE&G and the WOFD will remain on the scene until the issue is fully resolved. We thank the West Orange uniformed services for their prompt responses. We thank Dr. Pollara and the staff of Kelly School for helping us out. We also thank our students for responding to this emergency in a serious and mature manner, and of course our staff for always handling even difficult situations with grace and professionalism."

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