Evacuation after 'potentially harmful chemical' discovered at high school
Evacuation after 'potentially harmful chemical' discovered at high school
Pupils and staff were ordered to leave to 'safeguard all members of the school community'
Denbigh High School
(Image: North Wales Live )
Hundreds of pupils were evacuated at short notice from a Welsh secondary school. Denbigh High School issued an "important notice" sent to parents warning historical chemicals had been found on the premises.
Students were asked to leave classes quickly on Tuesday afternoon on the advice of experts. The Denbighshire school, which has around 500 pupils, said it ordered an evacuation to safeguard everyone at the facility. It caters for pupils aged 11-18 years from Denbigh, St Asaph and surrounding villages.
The youngsters travelled home as usual.
In a statement issued via its social media media pages, the school said: "We have had to evacuate the school building early this afternoon on advice due to the discovery of historical chemicals within the chemical store cupboard in the science department.
"This decision has been made to safeguard all members of the school community.
"Learners will be travelling home as normal (in 10 minutes) at the end of the school day."
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School staff have not disclosed what chemicals were involved.
A Denbighshire Council spokesperson said: "During a routine collection of chemicals at the science department at Denbigh High School, a potentially harmful chemical was discovered.
"After seeking advice, and in conjunction with key partners, it was decided that disposal experts would be sourced to ensure the secure and proper disposal of the chemical.
"Council staff sourced professional advice during each step of the process, and both staff and students are evacuating the school safely."
Last October the school's students and staff were evacuated after a gas leak was detected.
On that occasion the school remain closed the following day.
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No information has been given about the length of closure following today's incident.
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