Chemical Scare at Manchester High School West

Manchester, NH;

Manchester Firefighters responded to an incident at Manchester High School West this afternoon for an odor of a strong chemical. Fire officials say '' MFD dispatch received 911 call from West High for a report of a strongchemical odor throughout the building and that several students were feeling ill. MFD responded, identified a strong chemical odor throughout and assisted school personnel incarrying out their evacuation plan to remove all students and staff to the exterior ''.

Below is the press release for the incident from the City of Manchester Fire Department:

City of Manchester

Fire Department

Press Release

Type of Incident:Chemical release Date: 11/18/16

Address: 9 Notre Dame Ave, West High School

Time:1107 Under Control:1257 All Out: 1401

Number/Type Apparatus: Engine 2, Truck 6, Rescue 1, District Chief 2.

In addition, resources from multiple departments were involved in the treatment of the students

and of the mitigation of the incident. See the notes under remarks.

Number of Alarms:      

Incident Summary:MFD dispatch received 911 call from West High for a report of a strong

chemical odor throughout the building and that several students were feeling ill. MFD

responded, identified a strong chemical odor throughout and assisted school personnel in

carrying out their evacuation plan to remove all students and staff to the exterior. Approximately

950 students and staff evacuated the school in an orderly manner to the athletic fields adjacent

to the school. An EMS sector was established and the two local hospitals were put on standby

in the case that a large amout of students needed to be treated. EMS personnel from both MFD

& AMR evaluated 30 students, one of which was transported to a local hospital. One member of

the faculty was also seen at a local hospital for symptoms related to the release. Firefighters

were in contact with the product manufacturer and determined that the product in question,

which is a floor care product, was an irritant that may cause dizziness and nausea with

exposure to the fumes. Firefighters monitored all areas of the building and mechanically

ventilated the work area (gym) and areas surrounding the gymnasium. Before firefighters

cleared the scene all areas were at zero readings on the monitoring instruments.

Any Special Features:950 students & staff evacuated in an orderly and timely manner due in

part to the West High School staff carrying out their evacuation plan efficiently and orderly.

Extent of Damages:      

Civilians Injured: 30 evaluated, 2 treated at local hospitals

Firefighters Injured: 0

Building Owner:     

Remarks: This was a multi-jurisdictional response that included resources from MFD, MPD, AMR

ambulance, school personnel and administrators and the Manchester health department. In

addition, both local hospitals were placed on standby notice due to the possibility that they may

receive a large influx of patients as the incident progressed.

District Chief:Mike Gamache

100 Merrimack Street  Manchester, NH 03101  Telephone (603) 669-2256  Fax: (603) 665-6802

www.ManchesterNH.gov