MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – The Manchester branch of the University of New Hampshire was closed Thursday after a professor drank cyanide, causing the school to be evacuated, police said.

The incident happened in a third-floor laboratory. The professor, John Niesse, 41, was hospitalized Wednesday night and was in serious condition Thursday.

Manchester police say Niesse was “despondent over some personal problems.” Authorities said he called his wife and told her he had swallowed cyanide and a liquid Wednesday night.

Students were evacuated from the building and hazardous materials crews moved a container of cyanide to a secure spot in the lab. Fire officials said about six night classes were almost over when the call for help arrived.

The Manchester Fire Department said no spilled cyanide was found.

The chemical, sodium ferrocyanide, is typically used in science experiments in very small amounts that do not pose a threat, said Brad Manning, UNH director of environmental safety.

The reaction of the chemical with the liquid caused vapors and fumes to spread throughout the building, and UNH-Manchester officials decided to close the campus Thursday while crews tested and aired out the school, the university said. The campus expects to be open Friday.

Niesse has taught chemistry at the school since 1998 and received the college’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2000.

“The campus community is in shock over what happened on our Manchester campus last night,” said Ann Weaver Hart, UNH president. “Right now, our thoughts are with Professor Niesse and his family as they struggle with this tragedy, as well as with the UNH-Manchester faculty, staff and students who are all part of a very close-knit community.”

AP-ES-05-15-03 1353EDT

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