Tacoma school evacuated by sickening smell

Published 12:44 pm Thursday, April 15, 2010

TACOMA — Jennie Reed Elementary School in Tacoma was evacuated today because of a sickening smell that gave students and teachers headaches and nausea.

A Fire Department spokesman, Joe Meinecke, said firefighters treated about two dozen people.

Ten were sent to a hospital as a precaution.

Parents who rushed to the school found fire trucks, ambulances and treatment tents in the parking lot.

Firefighters with air monitors were unable to find the source of the smell.

School District spokesman Dan Voelpel said classes resumed after the all-clear.

Reed has about 500 students in grades K-5.

(with information from KOMO-TV, KING-TV, KIRO-TV, The News Tribune)