6 injured in Virginia high school chemistry lab fire

A fire broke out at a Virginia high school's chemistry lab on Friday, injuring a teacher and five students, two of them severely, a school spokeswoman said.

The fire occurred about 9:40 a.m. at Woodson High School in Fairfax, a Washington suburb, said Mary Shaw, a spokeswoman for the Fairfax County Public Schools. The high school was evacuated.

Two students were airlifted to a Washington burn treatment center with life-threatening injuries, Shaw said. Three students and the teacher were transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

Live news reports showed students streaming from the school and assembling near a football stadium.

A hazardous materials team went to the site, Shaw said.

It was not clear whether an explosion took place or if chemicals were involved and the cause of the fire is under investigation, she said.