Durango High School was evacuated for about 1½ hours Thursday after staff members detected an odor of gas inside the Innovation Center – a relatively new addition to the northwest side of the high school, according to the Durango Fire Protection District.

A “pull alarm” – one of those red fire alarm switches common throughout schools – was activated about 12:45 p.m., said Capt. Tom Walsh with the DFPD.

“The on-scene staff recognized some kind of odor and they pulled the pull station,” Walsh said.

A facilities manager also called 911, he said.

When firefighters arrived, they also detected what they believed was an odor of gas and evacuated the building, he said. Students were asked to congregate on the football field outside the building.

But upon further inspection, including the use of equipment to detect gas in the air, firefighters concluded there was no gas leak. Atmos energy also responded and were unable to locate a leak, he said.

Students were being readmitted to the school as of 1:30 p.m.

shane@durangoherald.com