MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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April 3, 2008

<font color = green>P.M. UPDATE:</font> Moffett school evacuated Thursday morning

Officials ordered the evacuation of about 300 students from Moffett Public School early Thursday because of a chemical fire at nearby Fort Smith, Ark.

The school is about 3/4 mile from Fort Smith on the Oklahoma side, just across the bridge, said Superintendent John Gordon.

“Winds were blowing east to west,” he said.

Sequoyah County Sheriff Johnny Philpott said his office was alerted that the school could be in danger because of a cloud headed toward Moffett believed to contain toxic materials.

The Sequoyah County emergency management director recommended evacuation, Gordon and Philpott said.

Students and employees were evacuated by bus to the Roland High School Gym as a precautionary measure, Gordon said. Students were allowed to return to the Moffett School about 11:30 a.m.

Schools at Roland, Muldrow and Gans, as well as Liberty School offered help, Gordon said.

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