Crime & Safety

Smoke Causes Evacuation At Quince Orchard High School

UPDATES: Students and staff have returned to Quince Orchard High School after it was evacuated due to smoke in the auditorium.

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Smoke in the auditorium of Quince Orchard High School caused students and staff to evacuate Wednesday morning, officials said.

The school at 15800 Quince Orchard Rd. was evacuated at about 9:40 a.m. for a "haze of smoke in the auditorium," Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said.

There were no injuries reported and normal school operations have resumed.

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The smoke was likely caused by electrical issues, Piringer said.

"Everyone has been evacuated and they are safe and accounted for. There was smoke detected in the Auditorium and MCFD is here checking the situation before we return to the building," the Quince Orchard Twitter account posted.

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All students and staff returned to the building at around 10:30 a.m.


Photo via Montgomery Community Media

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