The Wentworth School in Scarborough, Maine, after it was evacuated on March 6, 2025.
Eleven elementary school students were taken to the hospital after falling ill during a concert rehearsal in Scarborough, Maine, Thursday morning, and officials are now investigating the cause after ruling out a gas leak in the building.
The incident prompted an evacuation of the Wentworth School building on Quentin Drive while firefighters metered for a potential gas leak. None of the students were seriously ill, according to fire officials, and they were taken to the hospital as a precaution. All of them had been released as of Thursday afternoon.
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School Superintendent Diane Nadeau said at a press conference Thursday afternoon that the situation began around 10 a.m. when about 120 third and fourth-grade students were gathered on risers on a stage in the school cafeteria, practicing for a concert. One student passed out, and others reported feeling ill.
School staff called emergency responders to treat the affected students and investigate a potential cause. Officials evacuated the building and the rest of the student body was walked over to Scarborough High School while firefighters investigated.
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Fire Chief Rich Kindelan said the call was initially categorized as a mass casualty incident, and required every on-duty firefighter and some off-duty firefighters to respond to the school, as well as police and mutual aid departments. Despite the categorization, no one was hurt during the response and the symptoms the students experienced do not appear to be serious, he said.
Firefighters metered the building for a gas leak, checking for different types of gas, but found nothing of concern. The school has a working fire detection and carbon monoxide system, Kindelan noted, and neither triggered an alert. There were no reports of unusual smells before or during the call.
The rest of the students and staff were able to return to the building, which firefighters deemed safe.
Police said Thursday afternoon that the school is looking into whether the temperature of the stage and limited ventilation might have contributed to the students' symptoms. They will be taking steps to assess if improved ventilation in the space might addres the respiratory concerns and allow for better air flow in the future.
