More Than 100 Suffer Illness In Oconomowoc High School Gas Leak

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI — Officials say a carbon monoxide leak was the culprit in Thursday's mass sickness that resulted in the treatment of more than 100 people from Oconomowoc High School at area hospitals.

Western Lakes Fire Chief Brad Bowen said that among the patients, five people tested for carbon monoxide poisoning. Investigators are continuing to investigate Thursday's leak in an attempt to pin down where it exactly happened.

The district said that Oconomowoc High School will be open from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday so students can enter the school to collect their belongings for the weekend. School activities will be permitted after 4 p.m. Friday, officials said.

It all started Thursday when a student performing in a choir concert fainted on the stage. Shortly after, it was apparent that several choir students had fallen ill - some with lightheadedness and others with nausea. According to a WISN report, the girl who fainted was taken to the nurse's office to recover, and several other students fell ill and also had to be helped off the stage.

According to reports, students as well as teachers and staff, at Oconomowoc High School, 641 E. Forest St., evacuated the school and were not allowed to go back into the school and were sent home for the day. According to a media report, 73 people were treated at area hospitals after an air quality issue was reported at the school just before 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

According to a CBS 58 report, carbon monoxide poisoning was suspected, but emergency workers could find no evidence that that was the case among patients they examined. Officials are searching the school for what might have happened to trigger the mass illness.

During a press conference outside the school Thursday, authorities said 20 ambulances responded to the high and intermediate schools. Some were transported and others found their own means of transportation as 41 were treated at Oconomowoc Memorial and 32 at Aurora.

The district issued the following alert:

"There has been an unexpected situation at OHS and OAC this morning. This is not a situation of school violence, it is a possible air quality issue.

Silver Lake Intermediate students rehearsing for a Choir Concert became lightheaded and complained of feeling suddenly ill. Emergency personnel were called to the scene, and Silver Lake and Oconomowoc High School students were evacuated from the buildings. "

Image Via Shutterstock.com