RENTON, Wash. — Quick Facts:
- Classes canceled after raw sewage backed up into showers, toilets
- Afternoon, evening events canceled
- School will be open Thursday
A Renton middle school was shut down Wednesday because raw sewage was backing up inside.
Classes were canceled and students were sent home from Meeker Middle School at 10:15 a.m. after a problem with the sewer system.
Kent School District spokesman Chris Loftis said a sewer line running through a nearby park backed up and that led to sewage backing up into showers and toilets at the school.
Soos Creek Water District has since fixed the problem. Loftis said the water company and clean-up crews are cleaning all affected surfaces and the district's environmental safety team will make sure all areas are clean and safe before use.
Students who walk to school were released and parents who pick up their children were notified.
All afternoon and evening events were canceled or relocated, so parents were advised to check in with their child's group or team for more information.
A track meet scheduled for Wednesday has been rescheduled to Thursday and will take place at nearby Kentwood High School.
The school will be open as usual Thursday but the locker rooms will remain closed until all environmental cleanup and safety inspections have been completed. The process is estimated to take between 24 and 48 hours.
Meeker Middle School is just north of the Kent city limits.
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