29 students hospitalized after gas leak at Edison Middle School in Wheaton

WHEATON, Ill. (WLS) -- Twenty-nine children were taken to hospitals after a power outage and complaints of a gas odor at Edison Middle School in Wheaton.

Fire crews identified a minor natural gas leak in a science classroom Monday around noon. While on the premises, a "burning odor" was reported in another area of the school and students and staff were evacuated from the school, Wheaton Fire Chief Bill Schultz said.

Firefighters investigated the source of the burning odor and identified a problem with a ventilation motor which was caused by a partial loss of building electricity from Commonwealth Edison.

A total of 38 patients complaining of nausea and headaches were treated, with 29 transported to area hospitals, Schultz said.

The cause of the natural gas leak was not determined, Schultz said.

Classes resumed Monday afternoon after fire officials stabilized the gas leak and odor problem.