UPDATE: McCallie School Headmaster Lee Burns issued the following statement on Friday afternoon regarding Thursday evening’s evacuation because of high levels of carbon monoxide:
“Thursday evening, a carbon monoxide detector in a faculty apartment in one of our student dormitories activated. We followed our safety procedures, notified the Chattanooga Fire Department, and evacuated the dorm, even though no alarms in any other parts of the dorm, including student rooms and common spaces, activated. Out of an abundance of caution, medical personnel from the Fire Department tested all boys and adult residents of the dorm. The tests detected no problems.
“After a couple of hours of inspection and testing, the Fire Department said that residents could return to the dorm, but we had the boys stay in other dorms for the night.
“With assistance from the Fire Department, our maintenance crews identified the cause of the alarm, which, again, was contained to one faculty unit, and have made the needed repairs. They emphasize that the issue never threatened the safety of any student.
“I’m grateful for the quick responses of our staff and their flexibility in handling this situation. I’m also grateful for our first responders. It was remarkable how many of them were here so quickly. Our whole community is so fortunate to have such professionals. I join the first responders in urging everyone to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. They do work.”
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UPDATE: Thirty-three McCallie School students and teachers were checked out by paramedics and found to be unharmed after high levels of carbon monixide were found in a dorm building, according to a Chattanooga Fire Department news release.
No one was taken to the hospital.
The decision has been made to keep everyone out of the affected dorm overnight because the boilers and heating system were shut down as part of the carbon monoxide investigation.
The school will have levels checked again Friday morning to ensure air quality.
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Firefighters are investigating high levels of carbon monoxide in one of the buildings at McCallie School on Dodds Avenue, according to a Chattanooga Fire Department news release.
Firefighers were called to the school about 8:30 p.m. Thursday after a carbon monoxide alarm went off in one of the housing facilities. High levels were found by responding firefighters and the dorm building was evacuated. Chattanooga Gas company also responded to the scene.
Students have been placed in the student center to be evaluated by EMS. There are no injuries or sicknesses at this time. Every measure is being taken by first responders and the school to protect the students’ safety and well-being, the news release stated
Crews are searching for the source of the carbon monoxide and monitoring levels in the impacted facility. The building will be properly ventilated to make sure the air is safe for students and staff.