Pepper Spray Prank Forces Evacuation of Elementary School In West Virginia

March 15, 2005
About 460 students had to leave Burch Elementary School after pepper spray was sprayed in a bathroom.

DELBARTON, W.Va. (AP) -- About 460 students had to leave Burch Elementary School after pepper spray was sprayed in a bathroom.

At least three students complained of respiratory problems after the incident, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. Monday. One student who has asthma was taken to a local emergency room, Principal Margaret Fletcher said.

Two teenagers who are not students at the school and who did not have permission to enter the building allegedly sprayed the pepper spray, authorities said.

The teens told police the incident was a prank. Juvenile petitions will be filed against them, State Police Sgt. J.C. Dotson said Tuesday. Dotson said he did not know what charges would be filed.

''It's better safe than sorry,'' Fletcher said. ''We followed procedure and evacuated the students and then contacted EMS.''

Members of the Delbarton Volunteer Fire Department used a ventilation fan to help air out the building.

Information from: Williamson Daily News

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