Toronto high school evacuated due to possible pepper spray contamination
Posted February 8, 2023 8:48 pm.
Last Updated February 8, 2023 8:57 pm.
Students and staff were evacuated from a Toronto high school on Wednesday after possible pepper spray was detected nearby.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) issued a letter to parents and guardians of Bloor Collegiate Institute that Central Technical School was evacuated just before 1:30 p.m. after the air in the third-floor hallway on the north side of the building was causing some people to cough and have watery eyes.
“We immediately notified TDSB Health and Safety, who advised us to evacuate the area,” the letter read. “Students and staff were evacuated to the dome and to the field of Central Technical School.”
Bloor C.I. students have been temporarily relocated to Central Technical School while the new location is built. Construction on the Toronto high school began in the fall of 2021.
The school informed parents that students didn’t return to the building until just before 3:30 p.m. as crews worked to improve the airflow. The TDSB said it’s investigating after possible pepper spray could have been released in the area, resulting in the aforementioned symptoms.
“In addition to the increased airflow, a facilities team will be coming to the school to clean surfaces overnight,” the letter continued. “The school building will be ready for staff and students tomorrow morning.”
The TDSB confirmed that the high school was evacuated without injury.
