Fumes Burn Throats of 2 at Huntington High

HUNTINGTON BEACH â€”  Two Huntington Beach High School students suffered minor throat burns Tuesday, possibly from breathing an acidic solution left in a boys’ restroom, firefighters said.

The students, 14 and 15, walked into a boys’ restroom behind the school cafeteria about 2 p.m. and moments later ran out when they experienced lightheadedness and “a burning sensation� in their throats, Huntington Beach Battalion Chief Jacques Pelletier said.

The teenagers were treated at the scene by paramedics and released to their parents.

“They didn’t see anything or hear anything,� Pelletier said. “Basically, they were overcome by a strong odor and went to report it.�

The students alerted Vice Principal Gary Aston.

“I went in and looked around, including the trash can, but saw nothing,� Aston said. “By the time I got out, my nose was burning and I knew there was something in there that shouldn’t be in there.�

School officials summoned firefighters and hazardous-material specialists, who found a “trace of acid� in the restroom, Huntington Beach Fire Capt. George Munsey said.

Investigators suspect someone flushed half a pint to a pint of acidic solution down one of the toilets.

“The amount we got from our monitor was very weak,� Munsey said. “Also, the ventilation system wasn’t working, and that probably contributed to the problem.�

Authorities did not know who might have left the chemical in the restroom and are continuing the investigation at the school in the 1900 block of Main Street.