More than 50 students sickened by fumes at Houston girls' school

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Students have been sickened by fumes that prompted an evacuation at their school. Houston Fire Department declared a 'mass casualty incident' after students fell ill at the Young Women's Preparatory Academy in the 1900 block of Cleburne.

The principal initially called 911 to report a gas leak after five students reported feeling sick. The school was evacuated and HFD tested the air, but found no gas leak.

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Houston Fire Department declared a 'mass casualty incident' after several students fell ill at the Young Women's Preparatory Academy.

Students and staff went back inside the building, but then evacuated for a second time when more students fell ill.

Students report feeling sick from hot tar fumes

According to HFD, more than 50 students were taken to various hospitals as a precaution. Some reported headaches, feeling weak, nausea and vomiting, and in some cases, anxiety or asthma attacks.

Gas leak sickens students at midtown school

It's now believed fumes from hot tar being used in nearby roof work got into the school. Parents were called to pick up students from school.

ABC13's Shelley Childers says the cause of the fumes that sickened students at a girls' school is still unclear.