Students Evacuate Novi Elementary School Monday Morning

Thornton Creek Elementary School, which is part of the Northville school district but is in and has students from Novi, was evacuated Monday morning after smoke was smelled in the building.

There was a noise, followed by the smell of smoke, according to an email from the Northville Public Schools district. The school was evacuated immediately and the fire department was contacted, the email said. 

"While the investigation is continuing, the source of the problem appears to be a ball bearing in a HVAC unit. The matter is under control and steps are being taken to ensure that there are no other areas impacted or at risk," the email said.

The Novi police and fire departments were called to assist at Thornton Creek Elementary, 46180 West Nine Mile Road in Novi.

Student were kept in their buses and the district sent additional buses to the school to keep students warm and safe while the investigation continued, according to the email. Students began returning to their classes at 9:30 a.m.