Officials in a Connecticut school district are working diligently to determine what caused 12 people to become sick at a middle school in Thompson. The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning, prompted an emergency response from local authorities and medical personnel. The students and staff members who became ill were treated and transported to three different hospitals for evaluation. While the cause of the illness remains under investigation, officials have assured the community that the school building is now safe, and efforts are underway to ensure it remains so.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, emergency crews were called to Thompson Public Schools after 12 people reported feeling unwell. Among those affected, five students were taken to Day Kimball Hospital, where they were evaluated and later discharged after receiving medical care. The main symptom reported was nausea, which was consistent across those who were affected. Other symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and chest pains, were also observed. Fortunately, all affected individuals, including the students and staff, have been reported to be in stable condition.
Thompson Public Schools Superintendent Melinda Smith addressed the situation in a statement to WFSB, explaining that families were promptly notified about the incident. “We provided information to families as soon as we could,” she said, adding that they received four text messages and one phone call, keeping them informed throughout the situation. The district’s transparency in communication helped to ease some of the anxiety among parents, many of whom were understandably concerned about the well-being of their children.
For many residents, the sight of a fire truck parked outside Tourtellotte Memorial High School in North Grosvenordale raised immediate concerns, but it was quickly clarified that the primary response was focused on Thompson Middle School, where the incidents took place. In response to the emergency, all students and staff from the district’s schools were evacuated for roughly an hour and a half, with many parents picking up their children directly from the school. Cora Grider, a local resident, recalled receiving a voicemail alert about the evacuation, which added to her anxiety. “The district is currently on a level two evacuation…” the voicemail said. Despite her initial nervousness, she expressed relief knowing her grandchildren were safe.
Matthew and Emily Gomes, parents of students in the district, expressed gratitude for the communication they received. “I’m glad we got both phone calls and text messages and emails; they kept us up to date. That’s super great for them to do, and that makes me feel better having our children in the school system,” they shared, highlighting how crucial it is to maintain open communication during such emergencies.
As the investigation into the cause of the illnesses continued, Smith confirmed that the school district had discovered a failure in the exhaust fan and ventilation unit in the classroom where the incident occurred. Repairs were already in progress, and first responders who had assessed the situation determined the classroom environment to be safe. This discovery sparked speculation, however, as it was initially unclear whether this issue could have contributed to the health concerns experienced by students and staff.
Smith was quick to dismiss one potential cause—carbon monoxide exposure. Following an assessment of the school’s boiler area by the town’s building inspector, it was confirmed that no carbon monoxide was present in the school, ruling out this possibility. This reassured both school officials and the community that the school building itself was not hazardous to the health of students or staff. Despite these assurances, some members of the public continued to raise questions, with some speculating that carbon monoxide exposure may have been a contributing factor.
On Friday, a more thorough investigation was conducted by the fire marshal and firefighters, who tested every classroom on the campus using specialized equipment designed to detect harmful gases like carbon monoxide. Fire Marshal James Seney shared the results with WFSB, explaining that the meters used inside the classrooms produced no evidence of high carbon monoxide levels. Seney stressed that the equipment is calibrated frequently to ensure accuracy. “They used multiple of these meters within the complex to get readings and found no readings in the space of the area they had issues,” Seney said, emphasizing the reliability of the testing process.
Despite these findings, some individuals involved in the situation remained cautious. WFSB spoke with a person close to one of the victims, who was reluctant to be identified. The individual explained that while their loved one was doing much better, they were still experiencing lingering symptoms such as brain fog and chest pains. “They’re doing a lot better now. They still have brain fog and chest pains… just kind of trying to take it easy,” the individual shared, suggesting that the recovery process for those affected might take some time.
A discharge report from UMass Harrington Hospital mentioned that one of the victims had been diagnosed with carbon monoxide exposure, but the levels were deemed elevated, though not dangerous. “If it was a higher concentration, then it would’ve been a concern to us. But it was low enough that it’s a permissible level,” said Seney, downplaying the idea that the exposure had reached dangerous levels.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be difficult to detect, which makes it particularly dangerous in enclosed spaces. Experts like Dr. Justin Cahill, Chair of the Emergency Department at Bridgeport Hospital, caution that the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure are often vague and can resemble those of common illnesses such as the flu or a cold. “Any amount of carbon monoxide is not good in your body,” Cahill explained. “Those are very vague symptoms; it could be the beginning of a lot of illnesses, even the flu or just a cold. But if a mass of people are having the same symptoms in the same area at the same time, we should be looking at exposure possibilities.”
As of now, school and town leaders maintain that the air quality is safe and that there are no carbon monoxide risks present. However, the fire marshal has suggested that additional carbon monoxide detectors be installed in the classrooms to ensure the safety of everyone on the campus. These extra precautions, while not a response to any current danger, are designed to provide peace of mind to the school community and prevent any future incidents.
The mystery surrounding the cause of the illness has left the community in a state of uncertainty, and many are eager for answers. Although initial concerns about carbon monoxide exposure have been ruled out, the fact that multiple people fell ill in a single location raises important questions about what might have caused the symptoms. As the investigation continues, local authorities are working hard to provide clarity and ensure the safety of all students and staff at Thompson Public Schools.
While some answers may still be forthcoming, what is clear is the community’s commitment to addressing the issue, supporting those who were affected, and ensuring that the school environment remains a safe space for everyone. As more information becomes available, the residents of Thompson continue to hope for a resolution and a return to normalcy for their school community.
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