Smell of gas clears out Rec; police say odor was harmless

The Student Recreation and Wellness Center was evacuated yesterday afternoon after an odor of natural gas was detected.

Officer Jim Campbell of the Kent State police said the odor came from an oil well that is being drilled behind the Power Plant.

“The wind was just right, and it blew right into the Wellness Center,” Campbell said.

Jason Hawk, marketing coordinator for recreational services, said the building’s air intakes brought the odor into the center. The building was evacuated to take the proper precautions.

The building was cleared for half an hour.

The fire department determined that the odor posed no danger.

Contact safety reporter Kiera Manion-Fischer at [email protected].