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UPDATE: Work on School Boiler Caused Fumes

Every child was evacuated successfully from the School for Language & Communication Development after strong fumes filled the building; no injuries reported.

 

Editor's Note: The Glen Cove Fire Department has confirmed that no one was taken to the hospital, or required additional treatment. Our original reporting stated a child was transported to the hospital.

The School for Language & Communication Development on Glen Cove Avenue was evacuated Wednesday when strong fumes deriving from a basement boiler were detected.

At approximately 1:45 p.m., multiple fire departments were called in to aid the evacuation process for safety reasons, according to First Assistant Fire Chief Joseph Solomito. No injuries were reported.

Fumes filled the building after work was performed to the school's boiler, said Solomito. Students, faculty and staff began exiting the building when the school's alarm went off.

There were no readings of carbon monoxide, according to the Glen Cove Fire Department, but there were low levels of oxygen because of the fumes. Firefighters used fans to clear out the building.

Glen Cove Emergency Medical Services were called in to assist firefighters for smoke in the building, according to Chief of EMS Matthew Venturino

“A total of 12 patients - mostly teachers - were evaluated in a classroom that was set up as a triage area,” he said. “They all were treated and released on scene.”

Jericho Fire Department and Roslyn Fire Company were called in to standby at EMS headquarters to cover any additional calls in Glen Cove, said Venturino.

Mayor Ralph Suozzi was seen entering the property, ensuring the safety of the children. Groups of students were lead by staff to their buses, which they boarded as normal.

The smell of fumes in the surrounding area was strong and, according to one witness, palpable.

“You can almost taste it,” said the bystander.

Traffic along Glen Cove Avenue was moving, but slowly, as police officials guided cars around multiple police and fire trucks parked in front of the school.

Several other local fire departments responded to the leak, including Locust Valley, Sea Cliff and Jericho.

Representatives of School for Language & Communication Development have declined to comment.

Patch will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

Related Topics: Boiler, Evacuation, Fumes, Glen Cove Fire Department, and School for Language & Communication Development

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