TENNERTON — A loud bang prompted a brief lockdown at Buckhannon-Upshur High School Friday afternoon.

Shortly after 2 p.m., the Prevention Resource Officer at the school contacted the Upshur County E-911 Communications Center about a large bang that could have been a gunshot, according to scanner traffic.

State Police responded quickly from their office at the bottom of the hill, while county deputies also headed to the school. Buckhannon city units responded initially, although they were canceled as it became apparent nothing was amiss.

The officers thoroughly checked the school just to be on the safe side.

The school system confirmed the incident in a short post on social media.

“Buckhannon-Upshur High School was placed on a precautionary lockdown this afternoon,” the post read. “Students were asked to remain in classrooms as local law enforcement performed their security sweeps throughout the building. An all clear was issued by law enforcement once the investigation was completed. Students have been released to follow their regular schedules.”

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the noise.

When contacted by My Buckhannon, Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus said, “The safety of our staff and students is our top priority. We would like to thank local law enforcement for their quick response to our concerns today.”