Sacajawea Middle School evacuated in Federal Way

Published 9:30 am Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Students and staff were evacuated from Sacajawea Middle School at around 8:15 a.m. this morning after staff detected a gas oder in the 400 building.

After officials investigated the source, students and staff were authorized to go back inside at around 9:30 a.m.

Sixty students from two classes were evacuated to the school library while South King Fire and Rescue and Puget Sound Energy arrived on scene to assess the situation.

Federal Way Public Schools spokeswoman Deb Stenberg said it appears the smell came from the boiler, which can “occasionally burp,” she was told by security.

“It’s likely a pretty minor deal but we take the precautions that are appropriate,” she said.

Lt. Jeff Bellinghausen with the fire department said they cleared the area at 8:41 a.m. after gas levels decreased from shutting off the natural gas throughout the school.

Stenberg said the para-educator who noticed the smell felt the need to go outside and clear her head.

Bellinghausen initially said one student was feeling lightheaded but declined aid. He later clarified no students were sick and that it was miscommunication.

School officials are actively notified parents through the emergency call out system and provided updates on www.fwps.org and on the district’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fwps210.