Mace discharge at Oakland elementary school prompts evacuation

An Oakland elementary school was partially evacuated Monday morning when a canister of Mace went off, leaving 30 to 40 students and teachers coughing, officials said.

The fire department’s hazardous materials unit responded about 10 a.m. to St. Elizabeth Elementary School, a private Catholic institution in Fruitvale. No one was seriously injured or transported to the hospital, according to Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Reed.

It was not immediately clear where the Mace was discharged or whether it was done intentionally, Reed said.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov