Recordings from the scene display a significant presence of police vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks as emergency responders acted promptly to pinpoint the source of the “chemical odor.”
In a post on X, CAL FIRE reported: “Upon reaching the scene, firefighters were confronted with a situation indicating a possible chemical leak at a school. Twenty-four classrooms have been sectioned off, and individuals are currently undergoing evaluation by firefighter paramedics.”
Another tweet stated that out of the 19 students assessed on-site, 18 were transported to three nearby hospitals due to reporting slight dizziness. Additionally, a staff member from the school was also taken to the hospital. Fortunately, all individuals are reported to be in good condition.
As reported by Desert Sun, Frances Esparza, serving as an assistant superintendent of educational services, mentioned that students noticed an unusual smell in the air, leading staff to suspect a possible gas leak. Subsequently, fire department personnel conducted an investigation to identify the source but found no evidence of any leaks. “The hazardous materials team conducted a thorough search but did not detect any leaks. The matter was then handed over to Southwest Gas Company,” informed the fire department.
During the same period, Southern California Gas Company conducted an investigation but did not find any indications of gas leaks, odors, or chemical spills, according to Esparza. SoCalGas stated in a release that the smell was unrelated to natural gas service.