TACOMA — Jennie Reed Elementary School in Tacoma was evacuated twice Thursday because of a sickening smell that gave students and teachers headaches and nausea.
Today’s classes have been canceled so investigators can look for the source of the odor.
The first evacuation came at about 11 a.m. when several students reported feeling sick. Tacoma Fire Department spokesman Joe Meinecke says 25 youngsters and staff members reported feeling ill. Eleven students were taken to hospitals as a precaution but later released.
District officials say the second evacuation was ordered at about 2 p.m. as firefighters inspecting the building detected a metallic taste in their mouths. Students were allowed to play outside for the final hour or so of the school day.
Reed has about 500 students in grades K-5.
(Information from KING, KOMO, The News Tribune, KIRO.)
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