Small mercury spill locks down 500 at high school in Fallon

FALLON, Nev. " A small mercury spill from some broken thermometers has forced a lock down at a high school in northern Nevada that could last into the night.

There's been no report of injury or sickness at the Churchill County High School in Fallon. But a spokesman for the state Division of Environmental Protection says an estimated 500 students and 71 teachers are being held there until they can be checked for contamination.

Dante Pistone says NDEP crews arrived at the scene about 5 p.m. and have started to assess the situation.

Pistone says at least two thermometers have been broken, one in the math building and another in the main school building.

The stranded students and teachers are being held in the school cafeteria and auditorium. He says their shoes already have been placed in plastic bags as some of the mercury likely has been tracked around the building.