UPDATE: Church school to reopen Thursday

The First Lutheran School reports it has been given the all-clear by the Knox County Health Department. The school will reopen Thursday for normally-scheduled classes.

Wednesday, strong fumes from the gymnasium floor prompted the evacuation of the building. Volunteers had applied a clear coat to the gym floor over the holiday weekend.

PREVIOUS: Church school closes due to fumes

Students and staff at First Lutheran Church and school went home early Wednesday due to a strong odor.

Volunteers applied a clear coat to the gymnasium floor over the holiday weekend. When students returned Wednesday, the smell was still too strong.

Firefighters called the building off-limits for the rest of the day.

"More than likely it wil not reopen tomorrow, because we're going to need an environmental company to come in and recertify this building to make sure it is safe, and all the ventilation is done properly, and all this odor is out," said Darrell Whitaker of the Knoxville Fire Department.

Wednesday night church services may be held outside Wednesday night. The school will notify parents whether school will be held on Thursday. School staff said they will also notify local press.