The odour that triggered the evacuation of École Félix-Ricard on Nov. 27 was determined simply to stem from a cleaning product being used in the school that day.
Greater Sudbury Fire Services (GSFS) were dispatched to the school on Lasalle Boulevard at around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday for reports of an odour that caused some students to complain of not feeling well.
Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Oshelle said due to the unknown origin of the odour, the fire services hazardous materials team and paramedics were also dispatched.
Oshell credited the school staff on their management of the situation. The school was evacuated prior to emergency crews arriving. As well, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon transported staff and students to an offsite location, Club Amical in New Sudbury, as a precaution.
“The principal and staff did a great job,” he said. “They managed the situation quickly.”
Oshell said GSFS was able to determine the cause of the odour as a cleaner that was being used for some construction or remediation work being carried out. He described the cleaner as “bleach-like” with an odour similar to that produced by chemicals used to shock pools.
Of the school’s 225 students, six or fewer reported feeling nauseated or reported headaches as a result of the smell, Oshell said.
Once the students were in the fresh air they felt better, he said. Assessment by paramedics determined no ill effects and no one had to be taken to hospital.
“Everyone was ok,” Oshell said.
He said it took GSFS 24 hours to locate the smell, isolate it and ventilate the school.
“We are confident there is no further detection of the product and the school is safe to occupy,” Oshell said.
The school was evacuated Wednesday and closed Thursday to ventilate. As today is a PA day, the school won’t reopen until Monday. Fire services released the school back to the board at noon on Nov. 28.
