Cypress Bay High School cafeteria evacuated due to high levels of carbon monoxide
WESTON - The cafeteria at Cyprus Bay High School in Weston was evacuated Friday morning around 9:30 a.m. due to a suspected carbon monoxide gas leak.
The City Of Weston posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue "responded to Cypress Bay High School where three individuals experiencing lightheadedness in the cafeteria have been taken to an area hospital."
The three people were taken to the nearby Cleveland Clinic Hospital. All were adults and two were school employees.
"There were no students inside the cafeteria at the time. Hazardous materials were requested to respond and they did. They determined there was a carbon monoxide leak occurring in or near the cafeteria. In an abundance of caution the entire network of gas piping to the school was shut off," said Broward Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Michael Kane
Only Building 1 was evacuated, and the students were moved to Building 300. Two hazardous materials teams ventilated the building and the carbon monoxide levels dropped to low.
"Additional adult patients are being evaluated and additional EMS units have been called in," according to an update from the city. "The school is taking all necessary safety precautions."
In total, five individuals were treated at the scene, including four school employees and one firefighter. All patients were transported to Cleveland Clinic Hospital.
According to John Sullivan, with the Broward County Public Schools district, said all of the students are safe. There is an early release for parents who want to pick up their children.
Falcon Cove Middle School on the same campus was not been affected.
The source of the carbon monoxide leak is under investigation.
Cypress Bay High School is the largest high school in the state with approximately 4,800 students.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas and is highly poisonous. Depending on the level of exposure, CO may cause fatigue, weakness, chest pains for those with heart disease, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, impaired vision, loss of consciousness and in severe cases, death.