Temecula Students Sickened By Mysterious Odor, Hazmat Called

TEMECULA, CA — Five students reported feeling sick on Wednesday after a strange odor was detected in a Temecula classroom, the Riverside County Fire Department reports. Of the five, one was ultimately hospitalized.

The incident was first reported around 2:30 p.m. at River Springs Charter School, located in the 42000 block of Lyndie Lane, near Rancho California and Ynez roads, according to the fire department. Three engine companies responded to check it out and launched a hazmat investigation.

"The first arriving engine company reported evacuations in progress at the educational facility," the fire department said as the incident was first occurring. "The odor is confined to a single classroom that has been evacuated."

A total of five juveniles were evaluated by paramedics at the scene.

"One patient has been transported to an area hospital by ground ambulance with minor symptoms," the fire department said. "The four remaining patients were evaluated by paramedics on scene and further treatment was declined."

The Riverside County Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team and Riverside County Department of Environmental Health went into the classroom, however could not find what caused the strange odor.

"No source was detected and all readings were negative," the fire department said.

A spokeswoman from Environmental Health told the Press Enterprise that the smell may have been a chemical odor.

The agencies cleared the scene after 4 p.m.