Benson Polytechnic High School Evacuated After Chemical Spill, Student in Critical Condition
Benson Polytechnic High School in Northeast Portland was evacuated on Tuesday morning following a chemical spill. Portland Fire & Rescue and medical crews responded to the scene shortly after 8:30 a.m., with the spill quickly contained to a single room. Officials later confirmed that a 15-year-old male student mixed several toxic chemicals brought from home, ingested them in the school cafeteria, and subsequently spilled some of the mixture. Up to 200 students and staff members were medically evaluated on nearby athletic fields, though no other injuries or illnesses were reported. The student who ingested the chemicals is in critical condition. A joint investigation involving the Portland Police Bureau, Portland Fire & Rescue, and Portland Public Schools is underway. Homicide detectives were called to the scene to determine if there is any potential criminal nexus to the incident, and police are investigating a rumored social media post made by the student.
