A two-story building on the campus of Centennial High School in Corona was evacuated Monday when several students fell ill from exposure to an unknown substance — possibly pepper spray — released into the air.
School officials reported the chemical release about 1:40 p.m. in building No. 800 at the school, located in the 1800 block of Rimpau Avenue, just off of Old Temescal Road.
According to the Corona Fire Department, the exposure threat prompted officials to immediately evacuate both floors of the building, though only students and staff in a single classroom on the second-floor reported respiratory distress.
Thirty students were evacuated to a safe location outdoors, where multiple youths complained of chest pain and irritation from the substance. Two students were treated by paramedics and were expected to be transported to Corona Regional Medical Center for further assessment, according to reports from the scene.
A fire captain said police determined after speaking with witnesses that the substance was likely pepper spray one of the students had deployed as a prank.
As of mid-afternoon, fire department hazardous materials team was inspecting the building to confirm whether there was still a threat.
–City News Service