NY High School Evacuated After Students Fall Sick; Hazmat Team Responds

What to Know

Ramapo High School in Spring Valley was evacuated Thursday after multiple students suddenly fell sick; some reported vomiting
The sudden illnesses were apparently caused by pepper spray; the source of the spray wasn't immediately clear
A hazardous materials team was using fans to ventilate the building, a district official said

A hazmat team and two fire departments responded to a Rockland County high school after getting reports nearly two dozen people fell ill, some of them vomiting, in the facility Thursday, authorities say.

A call about the issue at Ramapo High School in Spring Valley came in shortly before 9 a.m. The building was evacuated as a precaution.

Authorities later said pepper spray had been released in the school -- and that a total of 19 people -- a mix of students and staff -- were treated and released at the scene. The source of the spray remains under investigation.

Update: Ramapo PD, Rockland County Hazmat, Spring Valley FD, Spring Hill Ambulance & Rockland Paramedics still at Ramapo HS. Total 19 patients treated and released at the scene. pic.twitter.com/eyUmCfLHuk
— Ramapo Police Dept. (@Ramapo_PD) February 27, 2020

A spokesperson for the East Ramapo Central School District confirmed some patients were treated for watery eyes and breathing problems; he said hazmat teams were using fans to ventilate the building.

Students were allowed to return to the building less than three hours after the evacuation, once the premises were deemed safe.