The fumes from a chemical spill at an Auckland school have affected several students and a teacher

A shelf holding biological specimens in formaldehyde collapsed in the St Cuthbert's Art Department.

Students had their eyes washed and as a precaution junior school students were told to play inside during break time.

The building is now being cleaned and aerated by the fire department.

St Cuthberts says all historic specimens will be removed from the school.