MA Students Transported to Hospital After Hazardous Materials Incident

Rick Sobey – Boston Herald

Seven students were transported to the hospital after a hazardous materials incident at a local high school on Monday.

The Taunton Fire Department responded to Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School for a hazardous materials incident in a standalone outer building — which houses the biotechnology, dental, and community health programs.

Students reported a strong odor in the classroom, and the teacher removed the students from the classroom and called 911.

Taunton Fire declared a Tier 1 hazardous materials incident — the lowest level — for hazardous and risk assessment. There was no active chemical spill or leak.

A Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division team responded to assist.

The 16 students and staff member were moved to another building, where first responders evaluated them for minor symptoms — including dizziness and lightheadedness.

Seven students were then transported to Morton Hospital in Taunton for evaluation of minor symptoms. The remaining students were released to their parents or guardians.

During the investigation, firefighters did not detect any unusual readings in the building, and the Taunton Board of Health approved the building’s reopening.

Classes will resume as normal on Tuesday.

The cause remains under investigation by the Taunton Fire Department and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division.

“We are extremely thankful that no one was seriously injured as a result of this incident,” Superintendent-Director Alexandre Magalhaes said in a statement.

“I would like to commend the teacher who quickly removed the students from the classroom to safety,” the superintendent-director added. “We are grateful to the Taunton Fire Department for their prompt response.”

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