POULSBO — Fourteen Poulsbo Middle School students were evaluated by paramedics Dec. 8 after complaining of headaches, the North Kitsap School District reported about noon.

The students were in the school’s art and tech rooms when they began to experience headache symptoms, district spokeswoman Jenn Markaryan said.

“Tech shop students in the room next door were working with a metal forge and it appears the exhaust went through the ventilation system into the art room,” Markaryan said. “A teacher reported it to the office and the principal and vice principal went down and decided to call the fire district.”

Crews from North Kitsap Fire & Rescue responded and evacuated students from the two affected rooms. Firefighters checked the rooms for elevated carbon monoxide levels. The initial classroom inspection did not indicate high levels of carbon monoxide. Parents of affected students are being contacted.

“The students are fine,” Poulsbo Middle School principal Josh Emmons tolf the Herald approximately 12:40 p.m. Dec. 8.

Initially, 14 students complained of headache symptoms. The Poulsbo Fire Department evaluated 17 students. They were treated accordingly and were being released. The rest of the school is considered OK and students are on their normal schedule.

“As a precaution, we evaluated all kids in the rooms and treated them for carbon monoxide poisoning,” Battalion Chief Jim Gilliard said. “None had life-threatening injuries or illnesses.”

Notification was sent to parents, staff and the community via the school’s website and to media following the all clear.