The odor of natural gas in South Cumberland and on the East Side prompted the evacuation of Washington Middle School yesterday afternoon. According to the Cumberland Fire Department, the odor originated from work on a railcar at CSX Transportation. Students at the school returned to the classroom after the building was cleared by emergency personnel. Responding were the Cumberland Fire and Police Departments, along with the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services and the Bedford Road and Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the incident.