West Babylon High School reopens after ‘chemical leak,’ official says
Police, firefighters and other emergency personnel on scene at West Babylon High School on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. Students and staff were evacuated from the building after reports of "some type of chemical leak" at the school was reported about 11:50 a.m., a district spokeswoman told Newsday. Credit: Paul Mazza
West Babylon High School reopened Wednesday after chemical fumes forced the evacuation of students and staff on Tuesday, with more than 30 people taken to the hospital for treatment, officials said.
In a statement issued at about 8 p.m. Tuesday, school district superintendent Yiendhy Farrelly said classes would resume at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Though law enforcement will continue to investigate, the building was deemed safe for students and staff, she said.
A 911 call at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday reported “some type of fumes,” Suffolk County police said, but the source of the fumes was unclear. About 34 students and staff were taken to hospitals with difficulty breathing and a burning sensation in the backs of their throats, officials said.
Police and emergency medical personnel were on the scene for several hours and into the evening Tuesday.
A school spokeswoman said school officials were examining security footage for information about the odor’s origin. The school issued a statement saying it was dismissing students early and that an “odor was detected in the hallway, students were evacuated and the fire department was called.”
After-school and evening activities were canceled Tuesday.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
