Students and staff at École secondaire catholique de Pain Court were temporarily evacuated Monday morning after a burning odour was reported inside the school.
Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue responded to the call at about 9:20 a.m. at the school located at 14 Notre Dame St. in Pain Court. Crews from Station No. 4 in Dover attended the scene.
Firefighters arrived to find the building had already been evacuated by staff, ensuring the safety of all students and personnel.
A subsequent investigation by fire crews traced the source of the odour to a malfunctioning component within a rooftop HVAC unit. Power to the affected unit was immediately isolated while repairs were arranged.
After confirming there were no further hazards, firefighters issued an all-clear, allowing students and staff to safely return to class.
Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue commended school staff for their quick response.
“Their proactive response contributed significantly to maintaining a safe environment for students and supporting a smooth investigation,” the department said in a statement.
