Chemical Spill Exposes Multiple Temecula High Schoolers To Acid Fumes

TEMECULA, CA — Approximately 275 gallons of hydrochloric acid, a pool chemical, spilled near Great Oak High School and the Pechanga reservation, leading to a mandatory shelter-in-place order for much Friday, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported.

Four students were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for evaluation after exhibiting symptoms of chemical exposure. Still, their condition was considered stable, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Rob Roseen.

Firefighters were called to the 12000 block of Pechanga Road at 7:45 a.m., where a large quantity of hydrochloric acid spilled from the back of a commercial vehicle near the front of the Pechanga Tribal Government building.

A citywide alert was sent to residents through AlertRivCo, notifying residents of shelter-in-place orders for the housing tract at Peach Tree Street and Primrose Avenue until the incident was cleared. The borders included residences south of Rocky Bar Drive, west of Peach Tree Street, north of Pechanga Road and Live Oak Ranch Road, and east of the Pechanga Resort roads.

Great Oak High School students were released from campus by 12:30 p.m., according to Roseen. All shelter-in-place orders were lifted an hour later.

Much of Pala Road remained closed from Pechanga Parkway to Pala Temecula Road. Streets in the area of Peach Tree and Primrose Avenue, as well as the intersection of Pechanga Parkway at Deer Hollow Way, were also closed. For the latest information on road closures and the incident, visit Cal Fire on X (twitter.com)

TVUSD spokesperson James Evans and the Great Oak High School Principal Amy Ricken shared over Instagram that students were in the classrooms and "were fine."

A concerned parent reached out to Patch, disclosing that his daughter—an athlete on the cross country team—was there for zero period and was among those thought to be exposed to the chemical fumes. They were taken to the gym where they sheltered, he said. There, TVUSD nurses were evaluating the sequestered students for ill effects.

The father, who requested his name be withheld, said his daughter witnessed students "passing out" as the school nurses evaluated others. The specific number of students assessed was not disclosed by the district. Athletes from multiple teams, including football, band, and cross country, were evaluated after exposure, according to the parent.

"She called and told me she was running when she saw a white cloud approaching," he said. His daughter complained of having a headache and sore throat. She was sent home.

"I am happy with how the district handled everything, but I found the video frustrating," the father said. "It was scary for parents who knew their kids weren't 'fine.'"

All athletic events would continue as scheduled, according to Ricken, except for field hockey which was been moved to Chaparral High School.

"We appreciate all of the members of the pack who responded to the incident today," the principal said in an announcement. "Overall, our Wolfpack community worked together throughout the incident, and for that, we are beyond grateful."