Odor Leads to Brief Evacuation of Cora Kelly School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 11, 2012 CONTACT: Kelly L. Alexander, Director Office of Communications and Public Relations 703-824-6635 • news@acps.k12.va.us   ODOR LEADS TO BRIEF CORA KELLY EVACUATION Students and Staff Safely Return Following Fire Department Inspection      Alexandria Va.  —  An odor on the top floor of Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology led to a brief evacuation this morning. The Alexandria Fire Department thoroughly inspected the building and declared the premises safe for student and staff return. After noticing the odor at 8:50 a.m., Cora Kelly Principal Brandon Davis contacted the Alexandria Fire Department, Washington Gas and the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Department of Educational Facilities. The fire department recommended a precautionary evacuation. Cora Kelly staff and students, accompanied by a police escort, at 8:55 a.m. walked to nearby Mount Vernon Community School. Alexandria Fire Department inspectors thoroughly checked Cora Kelly and traced the odor to a long-dormant heating unit, automatically activated by this morning's cool temperatures. After finding no evidence of a gas leak, the fire department at 9:48 a.m. deemed the building safe to reopen. Traveling with a police escort, ACPS school buses quickly picked up and returned students to Cora Kelly.  "The rapid action of Cora Kelly administrators, swift assistance from the Alexandria Fire and Police departments and welcoming response from Mount Vernon ensured our students' safety and limited disruption to their school day," said ACPS Superintendent Morton Sherman. "I commend all of those involved for working together so smoothly and for constantly thinking about the children's well-being."  For more information, contact Director of Communications and Public Relations Kelly L. Alexander at 703-824-6635.     -END-