Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The Chilliwack Fire Department has been dispatched to Vedder Elementary on Promontory Road Thursday morning after 12 students reported burning eye pain. Two B.C. Emergency Health Services ambulances are on scene along with two RCMP units at the school this morning.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Vedder Elementary in Chilliwack

Chilliwack Fire responds to Vedder Elementary after 12 students report burning eye pain

Jun 22, 2023 | 10:06 AM

**UPDATE at 12:37 p.m.: Fraser Valley Today has obtained an email from SD33 Superintendent Rohan Arul-pragasam saying early indications are that someone may have sprayed bear spray in the backstop playing area of Vedder Elementary. Per the email: “A teacher at Vedder Elementary reported this morning that 20-25 students were impacted with burning eyes and irritated skin. Ambulance and fire were called and attended the site. Early indication is that someone may have sprayed bear spray in the backstop area. We dispatched ground crews to investigate the situation, particularly the ball backstop area. Staff have personally contacted parents, and a letter will go home later. Al (Van Tassel)’s team has partnered with the fire department to have the playground sprayed.”**

**UPDATE at 11:05 a.m.: Chilliwack Fire Department Engine 4 (South Sumas fire hall) reports on the scanner that its personnel have sprayed down the backstop and the area where students were playing, and they have cleared from the scene as of 11:05 a.m.**

**UPDATE at 10:49 a.m.: The number of students reporting eye pain has increased to 21 students. The Chilliwack Fire Department has been spraying down playground areas and working with SD33 staff. Impacted students have been given soap and water to their affected areas, and they seem to be getting better, according to scanner traffic. Chilliwack Fire Department Engine 1 has been cleared from the scene at 10:49 a.m.**

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack Fire Department has been dispatched to Vedder Elementary on Promontory Road Thursday morning after approximately 12 students complained of burning in their eyes.

Later, that number increased to 21 students reporting eye pain.

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According to scanner traffic, first responders were dispatched to Vedder Elementary at 45850 Promontory Road after a dozen students reported some kind of eye pain.

Chilliwack Fire Engines 1 (Cheam Avenue firehall) and 4 (South Sumas firehall) were on scene at the school as of 9:54 a.m. Thursday morning.

Two ambulances from B.C. Emergency Health Services were similarly dispatched. Two RCMP units were on scene at the school this morning likewise.

The Chilliwack Fire Department has been spraying down playground areas with foam and working with SD33 staff. Affected students have been given soap and water to their affected areas, and students seem to be getting better, according to scanner traffic. Chilliwack Fire Department Engine 1 has been cleared from the scene at 10:48 a.m.

Chilliwack Engine 4 (South Sumas fire hall) reports on the scanner that its personnel have sprayed down the backstop and the area where students were playing, and they have cleared from the scene as of 11:05 a.m.