SCARBOROUGH, Maine (CNN) – Nearly a dozen elementary students were taken to the hospital after falling ill at a school in Scarborough, Maine.
Fire officials say crews responded to calls of a possible gas leak after some students who were rehearsing for a concert in the cafeteria began to feel sick.
School officials say one student passed out and others were complaining of respiratory distress.
“We had approximately 120 third and fourth grade students who were assembled on the risers of the stage at the cafeteria at Wentworth School rehearsing for an upcoming concert,” said Diane Nadeau, Scarborough Public Schools superintendent, during a press conference. “During that time, the situation, as we’ve come to know, it seemingly began with one student passing out on the risers followed by other students beginning to make physical complaints of a respiratory nature.”
A mass casualty incident was declared, which allowed for first responders to call for additional aid.
The school was evacuated and 11 students were taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
Air quality meters found no evidence of a gas leak and students were allowed to return to the school.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
“We appreciate the swift combined efforts of our dedicated school staff and public safety partners as we all work to prioritize the needs of our students and staff first. We also appreciate the patience of our families while public safety responders worked to thoroughly assess the situation,” said Nadeau.
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