(Photo:  Western Carolina University)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- A building of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, has been evacuated and on lockdown due to "a hazardous materials incident," the university said on Thursday morning.

Public safety units are currently on scene at the Health and Human Sciences Building, according to a tweet by the university.

It also urged people to stay away from the area until it is cleared and announced the suspension of all classes and activities of Thursday.

Western Carolina University, a public institution, has over 12,000 students.