The Denver School of Science and Technology was evacuated this afternoon after dozens of students complained of shortness of breath, probably linked to illegal trash burning, authorities say.
Twenty-four students were taken to a hospital for observation after they said they were having trouble breathing at the school at 2000 N. Valentia St., said Lt. Phil Champagne, Denver fire spokesman.
No one was injured by the fumes believed to have drifted to the school from a nearby backyard, where someone was illegally burning trash, Champagne said.
As a precaution, the 520 students at the school were evacuated, he said.
Students attending basketball practice the night before at about 7:30 p.m. also smelled an unusual odor, he said.
Hazardous-materials experts responded and did readings at the school but did not discover any harmful gases, Champagne said.
The school announced tonight that, as a precaution, it will be closed on Friday to reinspect all the building systems. School will resume as usual on Monday.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
