Atlanta's Crim High School Evacuated

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Crim High School Evacuated

Students, Faculty Reported Breathing Problems

Jeff Dore, Channel 2 Action News

POSTED: 5:05 p.m. EST February 27, 2003

UPDATED: 5:26 p.m. EST February 27, 2003

ATLANTA -- Students and faculty were evacuated from Alonzo Crim High School Thursday and classes cancelled for the day after some people reported having problems breathing. The incident happened shortly before 12:30 p.m. at the school, located at 256 Clifton Street in southeast Atlanta. Following the evacuation, three students were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released, authorities said. No serious injuries were reported. Authorities said the incident began when students and faculty on the second floor said they were having difficulty breathing. Occupants in other portions of the building then said they smelled some chemical that smelled similar to pepper spray. Authorities evacuated everyone from the school and summoned hazardous materials teams from Dekalb County and Dobbins Air Force Base. The investigators spent hours sampling the air quality inside the building but did not find any hazardous chemicals in the building. DeKalb County Fire Department Lt. said many of the other patients at the scene were caught up in the hysteria of the event. Officials said classes are expected to resume Friday.

Copyright 2003 by WSBTV.com.