KVUE-TV

The unsavory aroma sent students fleeing to the sidewalks.

AUSTIN — Two-hundred people were evacuated Thursday night from a private dorm on the University of Texas west campus in Austin.

A resident reported smelling a strong odor coming from the fourth floor at University Towers shortly after 11 p.m. Forty-five residents complained of respiratory symptoms and were evaluated by hazardous materials crews.

As serious as all this sounds, you won't believe what that smell turned out to be.

"What we found was burnt popcorn," said Austin Fire Department spokesman Harry Evans. "It was popcorn burnt on the fourth floor. It had a pretty bad odor, and it spooked a lot of folks."

The fire department blames the high number of patients on what they're calling a sympathetic reaction.