WESTBROOK – A false fire alarm sent students at Westbrook’s Canal School out into a heavy rainstorm on Tuesday, soaking the students before they could get to shelter.

According to Westbrook Police Capt. Tom Roth, the alarm came in just before 9 a.m., per the school’s procedure, students were brought outside the building while members of the police and fire departments cleared the alarm. Roth said that while school buses were brought in to keep the kids dry while they waited, the heavy rain got the kids wet before they could get on board.

There was no fire in the building, and the cause of the alarm is still under investigation.

Westbrook School Superintendent Marc Gousse said that school was back operating as normal on Tuesday afternoon. He said the that school was not dismissed for the day, but the school staff did notify parents to give those who could, the opportunity to either bring dry clothes to the school, or bring their children home to change into dry clothes.