Schmitz Hall evacuated for second time

Schmitz Hall was evacuated for the second time in two days Friday afternoon after 14 Seattle fire department units responded to a potential hazardous materials call.

The building was emptied for about an hour and a half while firefighters searched the building for gas leaks, but Seattle Fire Department (SFD) Deputy Chief Jim Fosse said firefighters found no signs of danger in any part of Schmitz.

"It's possible that there were some residual gases in the ventilation system," said SFD spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick.

The leftover gases -- if any were present -- could have dissipated before firefighters arrived, she said.

Firefighters were called -- and the building was evacuated -- after someone inside complained of nasal irritation, Fosse said. He said three were offered treatment for breathing difficulties, but two refused to be evaluated by medics.

The one person who was evaluated at the scene showed no sign of injuries, Fitzpatrick said.

Friday's evacuation looked much like the same scene in front of the building late Thursday afternoon, following a reported refrigerant leak. This time, Campus Parkway was closed between 15th Avenue Northeast and the Ave. The south side of Schmitz Hall was also taped off. Seattle police and fire vehicles lined the westbound lanes of the street as displaced employees and students stood outside.

Fosse said Friday's incident doesn't appear to be connected to the previous night's sulfur dioxide leak.

"It could be, but when you do the tests looking at everything and don't find anything, what can you say?" he said.

Fosse said the scope of the evacuation was brought on solely by the potential presence of dangerous gases in the building.

"This is a standard hazmat response," he said.

UW employees working in the building said Friday's experience was much the same as the day before.

"We had a bunch of students in the office," said Stefanie Forg, an office assistant at the UW's Office of International Education. "Everyone noticed the alarm obviously, but they didn't leave immediately."

The building was turned over to the UW and reopened shortly before 3 p.m.