Columbia firefighters, HAZMAT teams clear Swearingen annex, no gas leak found

Columbia firefighters and Columbia HAZMAT teams cleared the Swearingen annex building at the University of South Carolina shortly after students and faculty were evacuated due to a potential gas leak Tuesday afternoon.

Brick Lewis, a Columbia Fire Department spokesman, said firefighters and HAZMAT teams could not find any evidence of a gas leak in the building after some students and faculty reported an odor in the building.

Columbia firefighters and Columbia HAZMAT teams were called out to 300 South Main Street to inspect the source of the leak around 1 p.m., but the censors didn’t detect what the leak may be.

Sumter, Catawba, Main and Whaley streets were also briefly closed to through traffic while emergency crews secured a perimeter around the building.

Exams in the building have been postponed, according to students.

Jared Hott and Austin Hulings, both juniors, were taking final exams in fluid dynamics when they heard the fire alarms ring.

“We sat there and after 30 seconds, we guessed it was real, Hulings said. “We handed in our exams one by one and left.”

Hott said although the extra chance to study works with him, he wants to be done with school now. this week is the final week of exams for students. Tomorrow is the last day of exams.

An investigation into what might have caused concerns about a leak will be handled by USC’s Health and Safety officials.

This story was originally published May 5, 2015 at 1:33 PM with the headline "Columbia firefighters, HAZMAT teams clear Swearingen annex, no gas leak found."