West Newbury Chief Michael Dwyer and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew wish to provide the following update about this morning’s evacuation of Pentucket Regional Middle High School.
A hazardous materials response team has completed an initial investigation, and has determined that the source of a strong odor in the middle school wing was a refrigerant leak from a rooftop HVAC unit. The unit was shut off, and the District’s licensed HVA contractor will confirm a leak occurred and provide necessary repairs.
The Middle School wing has been vented to disperse the odor.
At about 9:42 a.m. on Monday, May 1, seventh-grade students in a science lab on the third floor of the middle school complained about a strange smell. No experiments were in progress and no chemicals were in use.
The complaints triggered a series of procedures and protocols, including a building evacuation and response by mutual aid from surrounding communities. The evacuation was coordinated by the West Newbury Police School Resource Officer.
Mutual aid responders included West Newbury Police, Boxford Fire, Georgetown Fire Ambulance, Groveland Police and Fire, Haverhill Fire, Merrimac Police and Fire, Newbury Fire Ambulance, Rowley Fire, West Newbury Fire, East Kingston, N.H., Fire, and Newton, N.H., Fire, as well as Action Ambulance, Atlantic Ambulance, Cataldo Ambulance, and Trinity Ambulance.
Salisbury Fire provided station coverage.
A hazardous materials response team from the State Department of Fire Services responded, as well as Rehab Five.
Thirty-nine students were evaluated at the scene. Two students were taken by ambulance to an area hospital out of an abundance of caution. Two other students were brought to the hospital by their parents. All four students were treated for symptoms including nausea and throat irritation.
No faculty or staff member required medical attention.
Superintendent Bartholomew, High School Principal Jonathan Seymour, and Middle School Principal Terrence Conant canceled remaining classes. After-school activities scheduled for Monday night have been postponed.
Faculty and staff will be able to retrieve personal belongings once given authorization by first responders. Administration is working on a protocol to allow students access to their belongings.
The school district will continue to update parents and guardians as more information becomes available.
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