Freon leak triggers big response to Barrington school

Barrington firefighters received help from several suburban departments in quelling a chemical leak in a school's air-conditioning system Monday afternoon, officials said.

Assistant Fire Chief Greg Keegan said firefighters were summoned about 3 p.m. to Barrington Middle School-Prairie Campus, 40 E. Dundee Road. He said eight to 10 employees were evacuated from the school.

Firefighters initially noticed what appeared to be smoke coming from a section of the school. Keegan said it then was discovered that vapor from the refrigerant Freon was leaking out of a line in a room containing chiller units for the middle school's air conditioning system.

Keegan said the room was ventilated and cleaned. He said at least 16 suburban fire departments assisted Barrington as part of a regional hazardous materials response.

Along with the strong showing of firefighters at the school, Keegan said, there were 25 to 30 pieces of equipment on the scene.

Keegan said firefighters were rotated about every 15 minutes due to Monday's high heat and humidity.

Barrington Unit District 220 officials were expected to investigate the cause of the Freon leak.