Two students thought they smelled natural gas in Martin and Helser halls late Monday night, but it turned turned out to be a false alarm.

“There was never any cause found,” said Brittney Rutherford, marketing coordinator for Campus Dining Services. “There wasn’t a gas leak.”

Alliant Energy, ISU Campus Police, the Ames Fire Department and the Department of Residence’s mechanical and facility staff all helped observe the building.

Students were evacuated and able to go to the Union Drive Community Center. Alliant Energy went through the buildings with gas meters.

Rutherford said every possible area that would have a natural gas leak was tested by Alliant and determined to be safe.

“We don’t know what the smell was,” Rutherford said.

She said both dorm halls were back open in about an hour and a half.

“Internally, we have quite a few people on call for any situation that might happen across our residences,” Rutherford said.

Rutherford said she would rather have someone call in and have it be nothing than to ignore something and risk safety.

“We’re here to keep people safe,” Rutherford said.

According to Alliant Energy’s website, if you think you smell gas, it is best to not touch anything that could cause a spark. Leave the building and call your energy company.