All clear after odor leads to evacuation of two U of M buildings

Updated 8:45 a.m. | Posted 8:11 a.m.

Minneapolis fire officials gave the all-clear for people to return to two University of Minnesota buildings after concerns of a chemical odor led to an evacuation.

"Crews obtained negative readings on all monitors throughout the buildings," and those evacuated are being allowed to return, the Minneapolis Fire Department said.

The buildings, Kolthoff Hall and Smith Hall are on the southwest corner of the Northrop Mall on Pleasant Street Southeast on the East Bank campus.

Fire officials said they responded to a call about a possible chemical leak on the sixth floor of Kolthoff.

Authorities have not said what might have caused the odor.

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