The Naval Academy briefly evacuated two buildings and sent eight midshipmen for medical evaluation on Thursday following what officials called a “suspicious odor” emanating from a classroom in Michelson Hall, which houses the Chemistry Department.

According to a written statement emailed to Navy Times by the Academy, the eight students reported the smell after entering the classroom around 9:15 a.m. Thursday.

Naval Academy Fire and Emergency Services sped to the building and the crew ordered both it and the adjacent Chauvenet Hall — home to the Applied Mathematics and Statistics Department — to be evacuated.

They determined the odor likely was left over from a Wednesday lab project and both halls reopened, except for the pungent classroom.

Officials reported that the eight midshipmen suffered no injuries and could walk about and breathe normally.

About Carl Prine

Prine came to Navy Times after stints at the San Diego Union-Tribune and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He served in the Marine Corps and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His awards include the Joseph Galloway Award for Distinguished Reporting on the military, a first prize from Investigative Reporters & Editors and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

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