A fire alarm went off in building 7 of Skyline College early morning on Dec. 11

According to Public Safety Chief Officer, Rob Dean, the alarm was set off due to a non-toxic chemical spill in a surgical tech classroom. All students and faculty were evacuated as suggested by the San Bruno firefighters.

12/11/12 10:50 am update.

A hazmat spill during a surgical technology lecture on the second floor of Building 7 caused the whole department to evacuate on Dec. 11 by 9 a.m.

The chemical spill took place in Professor Erskine’s Surgical Patient Care Concepts class. Today’s lecture was on to deal with hazard during operations. When trying to remove a glass vile of chemical used usually for bone cement, the vile wasn’t in its original container, it then fell over and broke on the ground, releasing vapor. Several students including Professor Erskine then proceeded to clean the spill into a bag while being protected with special mask, gloves and sponges. They then isolated the bag and evacuated the department beginning at 8:30a.m.

“This is a terrible way to teach people how to handle hazardous material.” said Erskine.

The Fire Department Division Chief Ron Lavezzo stated that the San Mateo Health Department is to inspect the room and ventilate it before allowing students back into the building.

“This chemical cannot kill you but can give you symptoms of nausea.” said Lavezzo “There is no real immediate danger.”

Although it was not toxic, procedure needed to be followed therefore the reason the whole Building was evacuated for the student’s safety.

“The college has a really good security and their priority is taking care of students and the departments.” Lavezzo said.

Chief Dean took the extra precaution to talk in more forces from sister college such as Cañada. Security officer Matthew Horsley was one of the people called in reinforcement.

“Robert Dean called me over to stand in front of this entrance that leads into Building 7 due to a hazmat spill.” Horsley said.

By 10:20 a.m the health department gave the clearing and students were allowed to return back into the building.