21 taken to hospital in HazMat situation at Queens school

RICHMOND HILL (WABC) -- Nearly two dozen people were taken to the hospital after a HazMat situation at a school in Queens Thursday.

The incident happened at Holy Child Jesus Catholic Academy on 86th Avenue in Richmond Hill.

The FDNY responded to the scene.

Officials with the Brooklyn Diocese say that a faulty science project caused the issue. It is science fair week at the school, and one of the kids' projects caused a chemical spill that filled the science room with either a smoke or gas.

Officials say 21 students in all were taken to local hospitals to be evaluated, but they are all OK. No teachers were sickened.

The school was not evacuated, only the science room the kids were in.

None of the children needed to be admitted to the hospital, and all were released.

The victims suffered injuries ranging from inhalation to eye irritation.

The school serves Pre-K to eighth-grade students.