WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Officials have released an update regarding the evacuation at Cypress Junction Montessori School this morning, confirming that more students were transported to the hospital than originally reported.
In total, 22 students have been taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Eleven of those students were rushed by ambulance, while the other 11 were transported via school bus.
Fortunately, authorities report that all students are currently in stable condition. The school has contacted the parents of every student involved.
Clarification on the Alarm
There has also been a correction regarding what triggered the scare. While early reports mentioned a carbon dioxide (CO2) issue, officials now say it was the building’s carbon monoxide (CO) detectors that sounded the alarm.
Despite the alarm going off inside, fire crews did not find any gas inside the school building itself. Investigators determined that the issue stemmed from an “outside connection” that caused the interior systems to react.
The building was evacuated immediately when the alarms sounded, and fire crews have since cleared the scene after ensuring the air quality was safe.
ORIGINAL REPORT: It was a scary morning for families at Cypress Junction Montessori School after a carbon dioxide (CO2) detector went off, triggering a full evacuation and sending more than a dozen students to the hospital.
Fire crews from both Winter Haven and Polk County raced to the school, located at 330 Ave. B SW, shortly after the alarm sounded.
Thankfully, teachers acted fast. By the time firefighters rolled up to the scene, the building was already empty. Staff had moved the students out of the school and safely over to a building next door to get them away from the fumes.
Once firefighters started investigating, they found that the leak wasn’t actually coming from inside the classrooms. The source was outside the building, but a faint odor had drifted inside, which was enough to trip the sensors.
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Even though the leak was external, several students reported feeling sick. Paramedics checked them out right there in the parking lot.
To be safe, 14 students were sent to Winter Haven Hospital for better care. Seven of them went by ambulance, while a school bus took the other seven. The school has confirmed that all parents of the affected kids have already been called.
Fire crews have since aired out the building and run several tests. They say the air quality is back to normal and the school is clear. However, firefighters are planning to stay on site for a while longer just to make sure everything stays safe.
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