Crime & Safety
Laguna Hills Doctor's Office Evacuated After Workers Sickened
Orange County Fire Authority and the Bomb Squad responded to a Dermatology Office when workers became ill after opening a package, Monday.
[LAGUNA HILLS] #OCFA Batt4 dispatched to a SUSPICIOUS PKG. at the 24k of Calle De La Louisa for a delivery to an office bldg. #OCSD Bomb & #OCFA Hazmat made entry and deemed the package safe. 5 workers complained of headache & irritation to eyes. All 5 declined transport. /INFO1 pic.twitter.com/ZoxBsoZ2JD
— OCFA PIO (@OCFA_PIO) September 10, 2019
LAGUNA HILLS, CA — Several employees of a Laguna Hills dermatology practice were made ill after opening a newly delivered package on Monday afternoon. Responding paramedics called hazmat teams to intervene, Orange County Fire Authority reported.
Firefighters arrived to Halcyon Dermatology just before 2:45 p.m. at the 24000 block of Calle de La Louisa. There, five employees complained of irritation to the eyes and skin, headaches, and nausea after opening the box, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Jon Muir.
Firefighters evacuated the office building.
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Once outside, the five patients all claimed to be "feeling better" after about five to ten minutes, and all declined a trip to a hospital, Muir said.
"They were anticipating a powder" in a shipment, but no liquids with it, Muir said. "The inside of the box was wet, and had a foul odor."
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Orange County Sheriff's Department bomb squad officers were also called to the scene and cleared the office building of any explosives.
Then, Hazmat teams from OCFA in full suits entered to test the two boxes that sickened the employees, Muir said. The building was later rendered safe.
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