Mysterious odor at Fontana school sickens several students; 1 adult hospitalized

Several students received medical attention and one adult had to be hospitalized after a suspicious odor prompted an emergency response at Fontana Middle School on Thursday morning.

Eight people, including several students, were treated outside the facility after school officials reported a mystery smell sickening students and staff around 7:30 a.m., according to San Bernardino County Firefighter Chris Prater.

The adult was taken to an emergency room to be treated for nausea and irritation to the throat and eyes, Prater said. Several of the students treated at the scene were released into the custody of their parents, he said.

Firefighters were unable to determine the cause of the odor, but a county hazmat team was able to rule out gas or another foreign substance, Prater said.

The school was declared safe at 9:30 a.m., and the school has resumed normal operations, Prater said.

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