A restoration company will be in Lac La Biche this afternoon to assess the air quality inside of Portage College's Lac La Biche campus. The company will be testing for possible residual toxins from any smoke left behind on the walls and in the hallways after our cleaning. This is a routine test to make absolutely sure the campus is safe for staff and students.

"While the testing could be considered unnecessary, we want to give our staff and students the highest level of assurance possible," said Tracy Boyde, Vice President of Infrastructure and Information Technology.

The campus has been closed to staff and students for the weekend as personnel attempt to ventilate the building.

"We want to let the public know that although this was a serious incident it was not a catastrophic event," said Dr. Trent Keough, President and CEO of Portage College. "The incident and the clean-up process have been handled very professionally."

The College cafeteria is also closed today to allow kitchen staff to sanitize and clean all cooking instruments. Students living in residence and housing have been fed and the College will provide meals while the cleaning continues.

"Our biggest priority is making sure our students are safe and residence students have access to meals," Keough said.