This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Fearful of the worst, Alpine School District officials ordered precautionary evacuation of two schools Tuesday morning after a natural gas-like smell wafted through a Lehi-Highland neighborhood.

And it was, in manner of speaking, entirely "natural," that gas. Read on.

First to clear its students and staff was Freedom Elementary School at 10326 N. 6800 West, at 7:55 a.m. Students took refuge at a church across the street, said district spokesman David Stephenson.

As the smell spread to the northwest, students at Skyridge High School, about 2 miles away at 3000 N. Center Street in neighboring Lehi, also were evacuated.

About 90 minutes later, after firefighters cleared the school grounds, students were allowed to return to classes.

Stephenson said no gas leaks were found on the campuses, but authorities believed they had identified the cause.

A business to the north of the elementary school was working early Tuesday to clean out sewage system.

The scoop? That smell was poop.

Twitter: @remims