Police: East Orange And Linden High Schools Evacuated

EAST ORANGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Separate incidents forced the evacuation of two New Jersey high schools Thursday morning.

East Orange High School was evacuated around 10:15 a.m. due to a bomb threat, police confirmed to CBS2. The police department and bomb squad responded, and an all-clear was given within the hour.

At around 10 a.m., Linden High School was evacuated after 19 cafeteria workers reported feeling ill, police said. The Linden Fire Department recommended the evacuation pending clearance from the Union County Hazmat team, school officials said.

Students were relocated to the athletic field until school officials dismissed them for the day around 11 a.m.

Just before 1 p.m., the school was cleared for return and will reopen Friday, officials said. Fire officials believe the workers may have been exposed to pepper spray, but the substance had dissipated and was not detectable.

"On behalf of the Linden Board of Education, I would like to thank all of the faculty, staff, and administration of Linden High School, along with the Linden Fire Department, Linden Police Department, and the Union County Hazmat team for keeping our students safe," Superintendent of Schools Danny Robertozzi said in a statement. "Students are also to be commended for acting quickly and responsibly during this situation."