More than 20 students were rushed to the hospital after carbon monoxide alarms blared at a Florida middle school — triggering a full evacuation and a massive emergency response.
Fire trucks, police and ambulances swarmed Cypress Junction Montessori in Winter Haven after the detectors alerted them Friday, according to the Winter Haven Public Safety Department.
All students and staff were outside when authorities arrived.
Fire crews immediately ensured the gas was shut off, and then evaluated the building. Police and fire officials concluded there was no gas leak inside the school — the alarms were triggered by something detected outside the building.
As the panic unfolded, medical professionals checked students at the scene. Officials said students who complained of any sort of distress were immediately evaluated, according to Fox 13 Tampa Bay.
Eleven students were taken by ambulance and another 11 by bus as a precaution while worried parents watched the chaos unfold, the Winter Haven Fire Department said.
Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can cause headaches, fatigue and poor focus, while high concentrations can lead to rapid breathing, confusion, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, dizziness, and even death.
Sisters Luna and Coral Brooks, from the elementary school building, said they were worried.
“There were also a lot of police and we were also about to have a fire drill so there was a lot going on. Everybody was OK. But there was a gas that is bad, it was in the other building,” Luna told Spectrum Bay News 9.
As a precaution, ventilators were brought in, air quality was checked and cleared, and authorities said everyone was OK.
Meanwhile, the school’s principal, Dr. Kris Newman-Lake, had been in constant contact with worried parents, emailing updates all day.
Still, the scare rattled families.
“But yeah, it’s never a good day when you see your kids’ school on the news with fire trucks and police cars everywhere,” Luna and Coral’s father, Phillip Brooks, told the Fox affiliate.
