SUNRISE, Fla. – Students and staff at Piper High School in Sunrise were evacuated on Thursday after authorities confirmed an “unknown smell” was detected inside the campus.
Piper High School Principal Marie Hautigan assured families in a statement that the district, school administration and city of Sunrise officials conducted a thorough assessment of the campus located at 8000 NW 44th St.
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She said the source of the odor remains undetermined, but officials confirmed that no gas leaks were found and the campus was given an “all-clear.”
Hautigan also confirmed that repair crews responded to the campus to address issues caused by inclement weather and possible lightning strikes that disrupted power to a classroom building and the main auditorium.
All after-school activities were suspended on Thursday due to the evacuation, Hautigan said.
She also said all regular school operations are set to resume on Friday and thanked students, families and staff for their cooperation and understanding as the school works to ensure the safety of the entire community.
Sunrise Commissioner Jacqueline A. Guzman posted on Facebook showing thousands of students evacuating the school. She urged all students to find transportation due to rain in the area.
Thursday’s incident comes just three days after Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn issued a safety update following a propane leak at an elementary school and a carbon monoxide leak at a high school that occurred less than a week apart.