STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY MARY CLARE GRIFFIN

Parents of Wood River Middle School students were asked to pick up their children this afternoon after the school was evacuated at 12:55 p.m. due to what officials thought might be a fire.

The source of the smoke was identified at 1:44 p.m. as coming from a heat pump fan motor. There was no fire or flames.

The building will be ventilated and school will resume on Friday, April 27.

The Hailey Police Department is assisting Blaine County School District officials with re-unifying students and parents at the north end of the Middle School parking lot where the buses drop off and pick up students.

Parents reunifying with their children are asked to bring identification, as students will only be released to individuals listed on their emergency card. Staff will locate each student to ensure accountability.

Students who cannot be picked up will take their regular bus home this afternoon.