Harper High School evacuated due to 'strong chemical smell'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A South Side high school was evacuated Wednesday morning because of a "strong chemical smell."

School officials say five people at Harper High School in Chicago's West Englewood neighborhood were taken to hospitals after they became ill because of the odor.

Fire department officials said they have tested carbon monoxide levels in the school, but found them to be quite low. Instead, a fire department spokesman says the smell appears to be coming from sewer gas, and sanitation crews had been doing work.

Students and staff were taken to other schools while the Chicago Fire Department investigated the cause of the odor. They also shut the boiler down in the school as a precaution.