Beech Grove High School evacuated due to smoke

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Beech Grove High School was evacuated Tuesday due to concerns about a smoke-related issue inside the school.

Firefighters were called to the school just before 12 p.m. for a possible chemical spill, but the fire department has not said if chemicals were involved. At 1 p.m., police and fire crews were still at the scene.

750 students were evacuated within three minutes by BGHS staff and were moved to the football field on the south side of the school, and again to the Hornet Park Community Center and Hornet Park Elementary School for reunification, according to a release.

“School buses have been called for pickup of bus-riding BGHS students,” Mitzi Garman, director of communication and community engagement for Beech Grove Schools confirmed to News 8.

Garman says students who ride the bus will be taken home as soon as possible. Students who drove to school are expected to be released around 1 p.m. By 1:30 p.m., all but eight students had been reunited with their parents.

13 staff and 9 students were checked at the scene and were released.

The Indianapolis Fire Department began its investigation and all meter readings showed zero for any hazardous chemicals in the school. It is unclear what the exact cause of the hazard was. BGHS is still investigating, according to a release.