By Astha Agarwal
South was evacuated today after a staff member notified Housemaster Josepha Blocker of the smell of burning rubber in the science wing (the 3000s).
The 3000s were evacuated at 11:50 AM, followed by an evacuation of the whole building a few minutes after 12 PM. The smell dissipated after all heating units were shut off and vents were opened, and the Fire Department concluded that the alarm had been caused due to problems with a belt inside a heating unit.
Students returned to the building at 12:38 pm for another 20 minutes of D block and a shortened E block. Vice Principal Mary Scott said that she was very impressed by the efficiency of the evacuation.
“The students had the best evacuation I’ve ever seen and I’ve been at Newton South for 26 years,” Scott said. “It was quick, quiet and orderly.”
