Faulty Furnace Fells 135 Pupils

Fumes from an apparently faulty furnace sent about 135 elementary schoolchildren and some of their teachers to hospitals today on their first day back from holiday vacations, officials said.

One child was listed in guarded condition at a local hospital, but all other victims were either treated and released or were expected to be sent home shortly. Between six and 10 of the students were unconscious when they were evacuated from the Edison School about 9:30 a.m., said Sgt. Ron Hill of the Hammond Police Department. Police said the fumes were carbon monoxide, but hospital officials said the cause had not been determined.