Several students at a primary school were injured after a science experiment in Sydney, Australia, went awry.
Reports say at least two students have been taken by ambulance to hospital with serious burns following a science experiment in Sydney. Nine others are believed to have suffered superficial burns.
Initial reports suggest the experiment involved baking soda and methylated spirits (spirits), 9news said.
Helicopters, paramedics and fire engines were seen at the scene, reports the BBC.
A science experiment in Sydney didn’t go as planned
The incident happened on Monday 21 November at Manly West Public School at around 1pm local time.
New South Wales Ambulance Acting Superintendent Phil Templemen said the wind affected the experiment, scattering some of the chemicals that were used.
The children, believed to be aged between 10 and 11, reportedly suffered burns to their bodies, including their face, chest, lower abdomen and legs, the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) said. One teacher was treated for minor injuries.
Several parents who stopped by the school Monday afternoon said they had questions about why the experiment took place, but added that the school had things “under control.”
“I heard online what happened, it was a bit worrying, but everything seemed to be under control pretty quickly,” said Mich Ashton, a parent of one of the students at the school.
Another parent, who did not want to be named, said a “routine science experiment” had taken place, adding that the teacher involved was “loved by the students”.
The experiment is a popular one and can be performed by anyone
A local resident told SMH that a teacher came out of the school to speak to a group of people who had gathered outside.
“The professor who came to us said it was a science experiment gone wrong and there were some chemical burns involved,” Tyson Atkins said.
The popular experiment that can be found online, called the Carbon Sugar Snake, uses methylated spirits and baking soda. It consists of mixing sugar with baking soda, placing a small amount of the mixture in sand soaked in methylated spirit, and igniting the mixture.
However, it was not immediately clear what kind of experiment the school conducted.