Seven people taken to hospital after hazardous material emergency at university

A hazmat team was sent to Western Carolina University and a building was placed on lockdown

Emergency services teams respond to a possible hazardous materials incident at Western Carolina University on 6 February, 2020 (WLOS Staff)

Seven people were taken to hospital, and several dozen were evaluated by medics, after a potential hazardous materials situation at Western Carolina University (WCU).

The Health and Human Science Building was put on lockdown and emergency services are still on site investigating what happened.

A call to campus medics was made at 8.56am after as many as 17 people reported being affected by an unknown odour or substance. They complained of light-headedness and other symptoms and Harris EMS was called to transport multiple patients to hospital.

Shane Stovall, WCU director of emergency services, says that six students and one faculty member were transported to Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva for treatment. As of 2.30pm, six of those individuals had been released.

All individuals that were in the building were evaluated by medics.

The university says that all classes, as well as other activities, are suspended today, and that people should stay away.

WCU Police, Emergency Services and Facilities Management, along with Jackson County Emergency Management and the Cullowhee Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene.

The State of North Carolina’s Rapid Response Hazardous Materials Team 6, out of Asheville, was requested to assist the responding units in determining the cause of the incident.

Investigations continue and a cause has not been identified.

Classes and events on other campus sites continued as scheduled.