Six students at a San Bernardino high school were hospitalized Wednesday, Feb. 5, when someone set off a large firework in the cafeteria during lunch, authorities said. No arrests had been announced as of late Wednesday afternoon.
In all, 14 students were evaluated by medics at Indian Springs High on Del Rosa Avenue, said Linda Bardere, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino City Unified School District. Five suffered minor burns and one was treated for minor smoke inhalation, said Eric Sherwin, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire Department. Four were taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center; two were transported to St. Bernadine Medical Center.
Eight parents declined to have their children hospitalized.
There were an estimated 300 students in the cafeteria when the firework exploded about 12:30 p.m., Bardere said. She said San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators described the explosive as a firework mortar. It was unclear whether the mortar was a professional grade.
School district police are leading the investigation. The sheriff’s bomb/arson squad is assisting, said Cindy Bachman, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
Bardere said the explosion caused “very minor” damage to the cafeteria, and repairs were underway Wednesday, she said.
UPDATE on Indian Springs HS. ATTENTION PARENTS: The school will remain on lockdown for the rest of the day. If you have not been contacted by the school staff, your student is safe. We ask parents to NOT pick up your student as no one is allowed in or out during a lockdown. pic.twitter.com/nbHImXUiqx
— San Bernardino City Unified School District (@SBCityUSD) February 5, 2020
The school was immediately placed on a lockdown that was lifted at the 2:35 p.m. dismissal bell.
