A University of Wisconsin building was evacuated yesterday morning in response to a suspected gas leak. 

Grainger Hall was evacuated at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday after someone inside the building allegedly smelled natural gas and pulled the fire alarm inside the building, UW Police Department Sergeant Aaron Chapin said. 

Chapin said the fire department arrived immediately, and the building was evacuated in a “smooth, orderly fashion.”
The event demonstrated how effective and efficient the evacuation process is, Chapin said.

According to the UWPD Twitter account, students were informed a leak was not found and it was safe to re-enter the building.
Chapin added there were no reports of issues or injuries regarding the evacuation. 

Information about the evacuation was released on the UWPD Twitter account, Chapin said, in an effort to reach out to students and inform them why crowds were congregating outside Grainger Hall.

“Social media is a great way to contact students,” Chapin said.

The building was closed for only a short period of time, Chapin said, as investigation determined conclusive results that there was no natural gas leakage. 

According to the department’s Twitter account, students were allowed to re-enter the building a little before noon.

Chapin added students inside the building at the time did not need to be concerned about health risks, as no gas leakage was discovered.

He added no further investigation of Grainger Hall is necessary because the building was deemed safe.

“The building and students are safe, and the future is bright,” Chapin said. 

UW spokesperson John Lucas said the event was minor and sufficiently covered by Chapin. 

“The event was not serious,” Lucas said.