Belltown Fire Chief John Didelot (middle) alerts officials that Stamford's Newfield Elementary School is safe to be in, after gas was smelled in the building.
Photo credit: Anthony Buzzeo

STAMFORD, Conn. — A malfunctioning furnace caused a scare at Stamford’s Newfield Elementary School at around noon Thursday as the smell of gas filled the building, forcing students and staff to evacuate, said John Didelot, chief of the Belltown Fire Department.

The furnace was shut down and the building was declared safe just before 2 p.m. by Yankee Gas and Belltown Fire officials. Traces of carbon monoxide were found, Didelot said.

“It could have led to unsafe conditions,” the chief said.

Students and staff walked over to Trinity Catholic High School while officials worked to  determine the cause of the smell and secure the school.