Strong Odor at Peninsula Hotel Leads to Evacuations

Pepper spray was at the root of a reported explosion and strong odors at a Motel 6 in Belmont Monday afternoon that left 10 people in need of medical treatment, according to police.

Police said reports of an explosion at a Motel 6 in Belmont are unfounded but that nearly a dozen people inside the building were treated for exposure to chemical odors.

The odors affecting people inside the building “turned out to be pepper spray,” a post on the Belmont Police Department’s official Twitter page said.

San Mateo County fire crews were dispatched to a reported explosion and strong odors at the motel at 1101 Shoreway Road at 2:06 p.m. and evacuated the building, according to fire officials.

“Approximately 10 people complained of respiratory distress from the odor, including shortness of breath, burning eyes, and vomiting,” Belmont Police Capt. Patrick Halleran said. “Those affected included occupants and staff members. None reported ongoing effects, and all declined to go to the hospital.”

There were a total of 22 people in the building, all who declined transport to hospitals, according to officials.

Police were attempting to locate the person responsible for discharging the pepper spray as of 4 p.m.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.