SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) crews, including a hazardous materials (Hazmat) team, responded Friday morning to reports of an unusual odor a Rosa Parks Elementary School in City Heights.
The incident was first reported at 8:45 a.m. by officials at the school, which is located at 4510 Landis St. According to SDFD, the call was classified as an “odor investigation,” prompting a Hazmat response out of an abundance of caution.
Shortly before 10 a.m., Hazmat crews were on scene working to identify the source of the odor. The entire campus was evacuated, although officials noted that most of the students were already outside participating in a scheduled fire drill at the time of the incident.
Due to the large number of students and staff on campus, a significant first responder presence was dispatched. SDFD confirmed that 15 people were evaluated, with one adult and one child being transported for further medical evaluation.
Hazmat wrapped up the scene around noon, though crews were unable to determine what the odor was.
Meanwhile, San Diego Unified School District staff sent emails to parents informing them of the situation and giving them the option to either pick up their children or let them finish our the remainder of the school day. The letter read:
Families,
Thank you for your patience as we continue to evaluate the situation. As a precaution, students have been safely moved to the outdoor lunch arbor and the auditorium, where restrooms and water are available. We are starting a cold lunch for students.
We most likely will not be able to move back into any classrooms until 1pm – 2pm today. As an option, if families would like to pick up their child, please come to the garden gate at the front of the school. It is located at the end of the front staff parking lot. Parents need to bring an ID card and wait in one line. Please be patient as this reunification process will take some time as we ensure that all students are safely reunified with their families.
I want to reassure you that our staff and students are safe. Those who needed medical attention have received it. Later this afternoon, I will share a full update regarding today’s incident. At this time, our immediate priority is to provide families with information about student reunification.
SDFD said the school district is looking into the incident. No further details were immediately provided.
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