Strange Odor Prompts School Evacuation

Officials evacuated a Baltimore school Thursday afternoon after hazardous materials crews were called for a strange odor.

Fire and hazmat crews were called around 2:30 p.m. to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. The school was evacuated and Eastern Avenue was closed near Chester Street, SkyTeam 11 reported.

Some thought the source of the irritant was a pumpkin spice air freshener.

Officials said two students and three adults were taken to hospitals with unknown injuries. One of the adults suffered an issue not related to the incident.

Officials said dozens of students were triaged at the scene.

"It's always best to take precaution, call 911, let us -- we are the experts -- come in and make sure that everything is safe, so we have no problem with them making this call. I know it's a lot of equipment that you see around here, a lot of firefighters that are working on this incident; however, we want to make sure that these students and teachers are all safe," Baltimore fire Chief Roman Clark said.

The school posted a statement on its website, saying, "At approximately 2:30 p.m. today, students on the third floor of Healy Hall reported an strange odor. The school has been evacuated and emergency crews are on the scene. As of 3:08 p.m., we do not have access to building. Students have been provided access to restrooms at Holy Rosary Church and have been provided water. Parents wishing to pick up their student should do so from Patterson Park at the intersection of North Patterson

Park Avenue and Bank Street. Further information will be sent as it comes available. All evening activities are canceled."

Some crews had started clearing the scene around 3:30 p.m.