Pennsylvania Science Classroom Explosion Injures Eight

Carlisle, PA – A science classroom explosion and a fire in an eighth grade classroom sent seven students and one teacher to the hospital. Two of the injured children were transported by helicopter from Wilson Middle School to the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for treatment.

A Carlisle Regional Medical Center spokeswoman reported that the local facility treated the teacher and five students for minor injuries. The cause of the explosion in the science classroom remains under investigation, according to Fox News.

WHTM-TV reports that two students and one teacher suffered from smoke inhalation. The local news station also notes that five students were burned when the explosion happened inside the middle school science lab. The injured students received initial treatment from nurses and paramedics before being transported to area hospitals. The unidentified teacher has reportedly been employed at Wilson Middle School for three years.

A total of 25 students were in the classroom when the explosion occurred. The eight grade wing was evacuated, but school officials do not think any severe damage was sustained inside the classroom.

Cumberland County Public Safety spokeswoman Meg Silverstrim stated that the fire inside the eighth grade classroom was quickly contained. After the explosion and fire were handled by the middle school science teacher, the student body and the staff carried on with the regular school day.

Carlisle Area School District Superintendent John Friend told the media that a fireball occurred when some type of chemicals were mixed together. He said the teacher was able to put out the fire with a classroom extinguisher, according to USA Today.

The names of the injured students and the teacher have not yet been released to the media.