WCHS cleared, students and staff allowed back after evacuation

Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies set up a perimeter at all entrances to WCHS. Photos/Roger Bianchini

Warren County Public School officials have confirmed that Warren County High School was evacuated Friday afternoon (Jan. 27) as “a precautionary measure”.  According to a recorded phone message sent out at 2:28 p.m. by Assistant Superintendent Melody Sheppard, a fire alarm was set off at the school; and during the response to that, what was described as “a suspicious package” was discovered. That initial alarm went out at 12:09 p.m.

Students were then evacuated to nearby Hilda J. Barbour Elementary School.  By 2 p.m. a line of cars was backed up on Westminster Drive to the side entrance of WCHS as parents appeared to be attempting to reach their evacuated children at the elementary school.

Traffic begins to back up on Westminster Drive heading past the high school toward Hilda J. Barbour, where WCHS students and staff were evacuated.

At 3:46 p.m. the school system sent out a second phone alert that the school had been cleared as of 3:30 p.m.  Students and faculty were being allowed to return to the building to retrieve personal belongings. Sheppard said the Warren County Sheriff’s Office would be releasing a press release with additional detail.

During the evacuation and investigation, Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies had the school blocked off. County Emergency Services vehicles were also on scene in school parking lots.

County Emergency Services was also at the scene.

The on-site photos accompanying this report were taken at 2 p.m.

Updates will be added as more information becomes available.