Veterinary technology sophomore Elizabeth Ross thought "burned toast" was the culprit that caused the emergency evacuation of Bessey Hall on Wednesday afternoon.

Close but not exactly.

East Lansing firefighters dispatched to the scene determined that a Hot Pocket and paper towel covered a microwave vent, causing a burning smell to permeate throughout three floors of the building.

The strong smell led Ross's instructor to pull the fire alarm, releasing more than 100 students and faculty from classes at about 3 p.m.

"It was pretty strong," Ross said as she waited outside with classmates from her Integrative Arts and Humanities course. "It smelled like someone left the toast in the toaster oven too long.

"It got worse and we felt unsafe."

At least three emergency vehicles pulled up in front of Bessey Hall as students and faculty gathered outside, braving the cold afternoon.

Within a half-hour, firefighters determined it was safe for everyone to return to the building.

But the evacuation lasted long enough that some were able to take an early break from class.

Among those students was pre-med junior Anisha Cobb whose family and consumer sciences class ended early. Cobb knew the smell was burnt food, but she couldn't put her finger on exactly what caused the smell.

"It smelled like someone was warming something up," she said as she left Bessey Hall.

East Lansing fire Deputy Chief Scott Wyman said the odor in the building warranted action by instructors who pulled the alarm and evacuated students.

As Wyman left the building Wednesday afternoon, he said faculty "did exactly what they should have done."