4 hospitalized, 42 treated after odd smell prompts evacuation of school building in West Newbury

WEST NEWBURY, Mass — Four students were taken to the hospital and 42 were treated after an odd smell prompted the evacuation and early dismissal of a school building in West Newbury on Monday morning.

Students at Pentucket Regional Middle High School were ordered out of the building by firefighters investigating a report of an odd small on the third floor of the middle school.

Officials said students reported smelling the strange odor around 10 a.m. and some students are being evaluated for nausea.

4 students were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Another 42 students were treated on the scene.

Pentucket Regional High School was also evacuated as a precaution. There are nearly 600 students enrolled in the high school.

Hazmat crews are on the scene and schools are being dismissed for the day.

Administrators are currently in the process of facilitating an orderly dismissal of middle school and high school students.

The initial cause of the odor is undetermined at this time.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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