Holy Trinity Dismisses Students Early Due To Odor

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A strong odor sent several students to the hospital and prompted an early dismissal at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Robinson Township this morning.

Officials say a total of 31 people were treated for symptoms, including 27 students and three adults. They were taken to Heritage Valley Sewickley and Ohio Valley General. Their symptoms included headache, nausea, shortness of breath and a metallic taste.

Authorities say all have been treated and released except for one person who was reportedly transferred from Ohio Valley General to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Officials report that the girl has a pre-existing condition.

The odor began to cause problems around 9 a.m.

Officials say around 320 students, from kindergarten through the eighth grade, attend the school. The students affected by the odor were on the lower level, which holds grades sixth through eighth.

Holy Trinity's principal Kimberly Stevenson says all students were evacuated from the building and taken over to the church, which is on school grounds.

"The children have been evacuated for precautionary measures. None of our children are in distress right now. We do have some that have been sent to the hospital just to be looked at," said Stevenson. "They have asthma, so things were a little… they were having some problems breathing."

Parents were being allowed to pick up their children, and school buses were also brought in to help get the kids home.

The Allegheny County Health Department has been called in to investigate. The fire department was initially called, but couldn't find the source of the odor.

Officials with the school said that preschool will be held on Thursday. However, classes for Kindergarten to 8th grade students are canceled.

Stay with KDKA for the latest details.

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