A 13-year-old girl has been arrested after two people were taken to hospital and a major incident was declared at a school.
The pupil was detained on suspicion of an offensive weapon and remains in custody after 'the release of a gas from an aerosol can' at St Paul's Catholic High School in south Manchester.
Police, fire services and ambulance crews were called just after 12.15pm today (Wednesday) to the premises on Firbank Road in Newall Green, with a large emergency service presence remaining throughout the afternoon.
According to Manchester Evening News, students were evacuated and more than 80 people had to be reviewed by paramedics, with two being taken to hospital.
The school said all pupils were evacuated as a "precaution" following the "suspected discharge of an aerosol in one area of the school."
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said its crews "quickly attended and ventilated the premises."
The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said that due to the 'number of potential casualties and the resources needed at the scene' they declared a major incident.
More than 80 people were assessed by medics at the scene.
Two people were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties as a result.
However "none of the conditions presented to us were life-threatening," NWAS said.
The major incident status was stood down just after 3pm the ambulance service confirmed but all three emergency services said they remain at the scene this afternoon.
Local GMP officers then confirmed the arrest of the teenage girl shortly after 3:30pm.
"Following an incident earlier today involving the release of gas from an aerosol can at a school on Firbank Road, Manchester we can confirm a 13y/o girl has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a section 5 offensive weapon." the force said.
"She currently remains in custody.
"Two pupils were taken to hospital as a precaution.
"The incident has now safely concluded and the remainder of pupils have been sent home."
Road closures were put in place around the school this afternoon.
Parents and carers were told they did not need to collect children early but several could be seen getting visibly upset when they couldn't get into Firbank Road.
Several kids several were also visibly upset and ran to hug their parents when they were allowed to leave school.
One mum said her daughter's friend was one of those taken to hospital and that the incident had left her feeling 'scared.'
"I got a text from my daughter saying that they were being evacuated because there was a gas leak" the woman, who did not want to be named, told the Manchester Evening News.
"She said all the kids on the top floor were coughing really badly, one of the students was taken to hospital.
"She said another lad was also taken to hospital.
"The headmaster did come outside and explain the situation to parents who were there.
"I think my daughter was scared after seeing one of her friends get taken to hospital."
Another parent said: "I've never seen anything like this. It's really scary to see this many police and ambulances at your kid's school I just want to make sure they're safe."
In a statement issued earlier today, the school said: "Earlier this afternoon the school was evacuated as a precaution due to the suspected discharge of an aerosol in one area of the school.
"The emergency services were called by the school to support the efforts being made to ensure the wellbeing of our pupils.
"All pupils have been accounted for and responded to the situation in a very mature way.
"Parents have been notified about this incident via email and text message, but, there is currently no need to collect their child early from school."
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