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Schools investigating false 'lockdown' alarm (update)

Nipissing University and Canadore College have sent out a statement, saying an investigation is underway to determine what caused this morning's false alarms.

Nipissing University and Canadore College have sent out a statement, saying an investigation is underway to determine what caused this morning's false alarms.

From the release:

"Due to a system issue, Canadore College’s and Nipissing University’s lockdown announcement system was initiated. It has been determined that there is no threat and it was a false alarm. We are currently investigating the cause."

Previous update (10:28 a.m.):

Students at Nipissing University rushed to the nearest room and locked themselves in this morning in what officials say was an alarm system glitch.

Bethany Ellis, a teachers college student at Nipissing said she was in the hallway waiting for class when a 'lockdown' announcement came over the school's public address system.

"It sounded like a recording to me, with a man's voice," said Ellis.

The door to her classroom was locked, so she and a friend headed for a nearby lecture theatre with about 30 other students.

Ellis said the situation felt like a drill, but she said last week's attack in Ottawa was also on her mind.

Students closed the doors and turned down the lights and remained quiet until an a second announcement about 45 minutes later that an alarm had inadvertently been triggered.

She said she was impressed with the reaction of her fellow students.

"Everyone took it really seriously," she said.

BayToday just received the following release from North Bay Police (10 a.m.):

Problem with alarm system at Nipissing University and Canadore College

North Bay Police have been informed by security at Nipissing University and Canadore College this morning that there is a problem with their alarm system.

This is a non-emergency situation and it should be cleared shortly. 

The public is advised to please refrain from calling police or 911 for an update.

Previous update at 9:56 a.m.:

Students at Nipissing University have been reporting a 'lockdown' situation at the school this morning, but security at the school tells BayToday that it is a "glitch" in the security system.

At least one student reported being locked in a lecture theatre and told not to go near the door. anther reports it being "pretty tense".

We expect to hear more from the school shortly.