Fumes Burn Throats of 2 at Huntington High

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.