Woodlands Elementary gas leak ruled out after 14 taken to hospital with mystery illness

Fire officials have ruled out a gas leak atWoodlands Elementary School in Calgary's southwest, after 14 studentswere taken to hospital and the school was fullyevacuated.

It was initially believed acarbon monoxide alarm was activated just after 9a.m. MT but officials have since confirmed that was a false report.

"[It's]a bit of a mystery as to what's caused this series of symptoms with these students," said fire department spokespersonCarolHenke.

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The students who reported feeling nauseous had "mild symptoms"and were taken to hospital as a precaution, according to Henke.

The Calgary Fire Department, its hazardous materialsteamandEMS were on scene throughout the morning.Fire officials eventually said they had not detected any dangerous materials in the school.

Classes are set to resume today but a spokesperson with the Calgary Board of Education says students are welcome to go home with their parents.

Evacuation procedure

The band room was initially evacuated,then the whole school of 290 students.

Students were loaded onto city transit buses to keepwarm.

Many parents gathered outside the school. Theywere toldtold students would be shuttled via the busesto a nearby hall.

Mohammed Baber's11-year-old daughter was one of the children treated.

"My daughter was not feeling well, having some vomiting; she fell down and was weeping when I came here," said Baber. "I was the first person who came here before these ambulance crews."

ATCOGas was alsonotified.