Penrith Anglican College students evacuated after sickening gas leak

A malfunctioning staffroom mini fridge has been revealed as the source of a nauseating gas leak which caused eight people to be overcome by its smell at a Penrith school.

Penrith Anglican College.

A malfunctioning staffroom mini-fridge has been identified as the culprit of emitting a sickening gas causing multiple people to be overcome by nausea and vomiting.

Emergency services were called to Penrith Anglican College at Orchard Hills on Monday morning after the fridge malfunctioned in the pre-kindergarten teacher’s staffroom, causing at least two people to start throwing up with multiple others suffering nausea.

The fridge had been moved earlier that day.

Six people were assessed on the scene by paramedics with two transported to hospital but were later discharged.

About 20 students were evacuated from the premises.

Fire Rescue NSW Hazardous Response Team were called to the school. Picture: Fire Rescue NSW

A spokesman for Fire Rescue NSW said its Hazardous Response Team was unable to identify or speculate on what was making people sick aside from it being a gas used to keep the fridge cool.

College principal Felicity Grima said the fridge had since been disposed of and the classrooms were safe to teach in after being ventilated.

Firefighters have issued an all-clear for the schools air quality.