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Unusual smell prompts temporary evacuation of Westbrook High School

The Westbrook school district superintendent's office says an unidentified smell was first noticed in the high school music room late Friday morning
Credit: NEWS CENTER Maine
Buses wait for students to climb aboard outside Westbrook High School

WESTBROOK (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Classes came to a temporary stop at Westbrook High School over concerns about an unusual smell.

The district superintendent's office said the smell was first noticed in the music room late Friday morning.

Though district officials said no students were in immediate danger, they decided to evacuate the school as a precaution around 11 a.m.

While students waited from the fields outside the school, the Westbrook Fire Dept. looked into the problem. Superintendent Peter Lancia said he was told by firefighters, the smell was caused by a burned-out fluorescent light ballast.

The smell, though pungent, is not toxic, although Lancia said it might act as a irritant to people with respiratory sensitivities.

Within about 20 minutes, the situation was resolved and students went back to class.

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