Mysterious smell locks students in

Precautionary: Firefighters fitted with oxygen masks check out the strong smell at Bogangar Public School yesterday.

Crystal Spencer

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Fumes lock down Bogangar school

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News in pictures - March 2010

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A MYSTERIOUS odour had students confined to their classrooms at Bogangar Public School as emergency services swept the hall yesterday morning.

Kingscliff ambulance, police, firefighters and a hazardous materials vehicle attended the school about 9.20am after the strange smell, described as “burnt rubber,” was detected in the multipurpose room by the school’s cleaners.

Firefighters were fitted with oxygen masks as they secured the area and searched for any fumes or chemical leaks in the vicinity.

No hazardous materials were found in the room.

Kingscliff fire station commander Brett Gray attended the scene.

“We took every precaution we could. All emergency services responded to ensure the safety of the students,” Mr Gray said.

“The smell was coming from the multipurpose room at the school.

Emergency services were at the school for an hour before the scene was declared clear.

The smell was eventually traced to a drain in a supply closet.

Tweed Heads Police Sergeant Brad Stewart said initial reports feared a chemical or toxic fume leak.

“Police responded as a precautionary in case of an evacuation of staff and students,” Sgt Stewart said.

“Firefighters informed us that it wasn’t as big as first thought so no evacuation was ever needed.”

A New South Wales Department of Education spokesman said no students or staff were at risk.

“As a precaution all students were kept away as the fire department were called to investigate,” the spokesman said.

“No toxic fumes or chemical spills ever occurred.”

A plumber was called to rectify the problem soon after.