Kids evacuated

By Kelly Yates
STRATHAIRD Primary School students were evacuated from the school yesterday (Wednesday) after an unknown substance caused between 30 and 40 students to show symptoms of watering and itchy eyes, sore noses and skin irritations.
Fourth Lieutenant Damien Baker from the Narre Warren Fire Brigade told the News firefighters had discovered readings of chlorine in the air, but couldn’t confirm that it was the substance responsible for the children’s reactions.
While around a dozen parents gathered outside the Narre Warren South school grounds unaware of what was going on, firefighters tried to determine where the substance was coming from.
Speculations by the parents included a possible virus outbreak or shooting at the school.
Fourth Lieutenant Baker said it was unlikely the chlorine would have been coming from the school, as there were no sources of chlorine on the property.
Firefighters continued to investigate the mystery substance, walking around the local area with gas detection units in the hope of find where it was coming from.
About seven firefighters from the Narre Warren brigade, two from Dandenong, three from Cranbourne and around four operations officers were at the scene from 10.40am, when the initial call was received.
According to Fourth Lieutenant Baker, some of the students were transported to hospital, while the rest of them were evacuated and transported to Narre Warren South P-12 College.
Strathaird Primary School principal Martin Shepard did not respond to calls made by the News.
Firefighters were still investigating the incident when the News went to print.
For updates check our website at www.starnewsgroup.com.au