Patriot High School resumes classes after evacuation

Students and teachers at Patriot High School in Nokesville returned to class late this morning, and everyone is safe, according to an 11:07 a.m. email from Irene Comer, supervisor of community relations for Prince William County Schools. She confirmed that fire officials had given the okay for students and staff to return to the building.

The school on Kettle Run Road had been evacuated about 9:15 a.m. due to reports of “an unidentified strong order in several areas of the school.” 

According to Cromer, shortly after noon, the source of the odor which resulted in evacuation of Patriot HS this morning has been identified. The motor in a rooftop HVAC unit had gone bad, and the burnt smell filtered down into the classrooms directly below. All other systems were checked and were determined to be operating fine.

Cromer said it was erroneously reported that the odor may have been a “gas” smell. She said Patriot High School does not have gas service.

Patriot is Prince William County’s newest high school. It opened during the summer of 2011, and began holding first classes in September 2011.