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« Providence high school temporarily evacuated | Today | Health care reps rally before General Assembly hearing » March 30, 20064 students hospitalized after chemical sprayed in Central High classroomPROVIDENCE -- Four students, one teacher and a school nurse have been hospitalized this morning after someone released a chemical spray, possibly pepper spray, in a Central High School classroom this morning. "A group of students were complaining that they had irritated throats, they were coughing," said Providence School District spokeswoman Maria Tocco. "They were sent to the hospital to be checked out as a precautionary measure." After the suspicious odor was reported to school leadership this morning, the Westminster Street school of more than 1,500 students was evacuated. A school nurse tripped while attending to students during the evacuation and apparently broke her arm, according to Tocco. Schools officials have ruled out a gas leak as the cause of the suspicious smell, but have not determined the exact cause. "Some kids said it smelled like gas, other said it smelled like pepper spray," Tocco said. "We’re thinking it was a practical joke -- that a student or students sprayed pepper spray." The fire department cleared the building at about 10:30 a.m., and students returned to class. Tocco said school officials are investigating the cause of the incident. The student or students found responsible will be disciplined, pending the outcome of a student disciplinary hearing. Tocco hinted that today's near 70-degree weather may have been a factor. "We're thinking it's spring fever -- any excuse to be outside," she said. Posted by Steve Peoples |
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