All Chicago Public Schools are on track to get new carbon monoxide detectors after a malfunctioning boiler released carbon monoxide fumes into an elementary school on Chicago's Northwest Side in late October.
Fire department officials said 71 children and eight adults were treated for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in the incident at Ernst Prussing Elementary School.
“It’s a terrible thing that happened and no child or parent should have gone through that,” Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool. “We have done a complete investigation and we have taken steps necessary to ensure children are safe and that something like this will never happen again.”
Although all CPS school already have carbon monoxide detectors in boiler rooms, new ones will be installed closer to classrooms by Dec. 1.
“The city code requires them in boiler room and they are doing more than what's required,” Chicago Fire Department Cmdr. Walter Schroeder said.
|
Nevertheless, a parent said a lawsuit may be filed over the incident.
“There are parents proceeding with legal actions against CPS for what has happened to their children and I don’t blame them,” parent Jackie Yum said.
