Odor inside Kingston high school sent three dozen people to the hospital

KINGSTON, Mass. — About three dozen people have been taken to the hospital after a hazmat incident at Silver Lake Regional High School in Kingston, firefighters told Boston 25 News.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the hazmat team was called to the high school Friday morning for an odor in a classroom and several people who reported feeling sick.

Students and teachers were evaluated and a firefighter on scene says three dozen people have been taken to local hospitals.

“I was in the guidance office in class and then firefighters came in and they told us to stay put and then they moved us to the middle school," said Cross Boudreau, a senior at Silver Lake. "I heard it was a gas leak and a teacher was exposed to it and passed out.”

In all, 34 people were taken to hospitals in Weymouth, Plymouth and Brockton. As of Friday night, nine patients taken to a hospital in Weymouth were in stable condition.

“This morning at 10a staff member reported a smell in a classroom in Silver Lake High School,” said Dr. Jill Proulx, the Superintendent of Silver Lake. "They were moved to other areas of the building and then Middle School out of an abundance of caution.”

According to a letter from the principal obtained by Boston 25 News, some classrooms were relocated to the auditorium. Out of an abundance of caution, any student who reported feeling ill was evaluated by medical personnel.

“The transports are irritant type transports or illnesses. Reports are dizziness and throat irritations so that is indicative of some sort of chemical release within the building," said Kingston Fire Chief Mike Douglas.

The exact cause of the odor and what it was are still under investigation.

RAW VIDEO: Officials responding to a hazmat incident in Kingston RAW VIDEO: Officials responding to a hazmat incident in Kingston

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