Unknown odor causes Belen elementary school to be evacuated Tuesday

BELEN — A Belen elementary school was evacuated Tuesday afternoon after a concerning odor was reported.

Belen Consolidated School Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez said New Mexico Gas cleared the Central Elementary School building on Main Street in Belen, and reported there are no gas leaks in the building.

“They ran pressure tests inside and outside. There are no gas leaks,” Sanchez said.

The superintendent said the district’s health services coordinator Deborah Baca, whose office is in Central Elementary, did advise the building be cleared and contacted the Belen Fire Department for assistance.

“We’re not sure what the smell was. That hasn’t been determined,” Sanchez said. “We do appreciate the effort and work of the Belen Fire Department. They were very helpful in making sure everyone was safe.”

Parents of three students were advised to have their children transported to a hospital, Sanchez said, and one staff member reported feeling dizzy and went to the hospital for follow-up care.