Crime & Safety

Update: Hazmat Situation at Fairfield Warde High School Cleared

The mixing of unknown chemicals occurred around 8:30 a.m. Emergency departments were notified around 11:30 a.m. DEEP and Fairfield health officials cleared the scene shortly before 1 p.m.

[Editor's note: Photo courtesy of Stephen Krauchick, DoingItLocal.com.]

Update, 1:52 p.m.

The Fairfield Fire Department has released an update on this morning's possible hazmat situation at Fairfield Warde High School.

Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the release, small quantities of potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium iodide, and benzoic acid may have combined during a routine classroom heating process in the science laboratory.

The possible chemical mixing occurred at 8:30 a.m. and the Emergency Communications Center was notified shortly after 11 a.m. Four students and a teacher involved with the chemicals were evaluated and released by both the school nurse and American Medical Response staff, according to the release.

Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Responders set up a controlled entry into the classroom and found no contamination or chemical product in the lab, which had been aired out by the time emergency personnel arrived.

Fairfield Public Health Director Sands Cleary and members state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) officials assessed and cleared the classroom for occupancy just before 1 p.m.

No evacuation was required and classes were not significantly disrupted, according to the release.

Original Post, 12:30 p.m.

Fairfield emergency personnel are investigating a possible hazardous materials situation in the Fairfield Warde High School laboratory.

According to scanner reports, unknown chemicals were mixed earlier this morning, around 8:30 a.m. Emergency departments were notified around 11:30 a.m.

No injuries have been reported and the school has not been evacuated. Fairfield units requested the assistance of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to evaluate the situation.

Fairfield Patch will post updates as they become available.  


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.