Temecula Hazmat Scene: Popular Eatery Evacuated Friday Night

TEMECULA, CA — A popular Temecula Valley restaurant was evacuated Friday night and multiple people hospitalized in an apparent hazmat situation. The eatery, Shogun, is located near the Promenade.

Information related to the incident is limited, but Riverside County Fire Department logs show officials were first dispatched to a medical call at 8:39 p.m. Friday. Multiple engines were ultimately dispatched to the scene, along with a hazardous materials team, in the 41000 block of Margarita Road.

Witnesses and fire officials indicated that two people reported feeling dizzy at the restaurant earlier in the evening, which prompted the call for help.

"The first arriving engine company reported an unknown substance possibly causing victims to feel ill and requested the assistance of the Riverside County Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team," Tawny Cabral of the Riverside County Fire Department said.

"Paramedics evaluated and transported two victims to area hospitals by ground ambulance with minor injuries," she added.

Images from the scene showed dozens of employees gathered outside behind some fire apparatus, while a sign on the door indicated the establishment was closed.

As of 10:30 p.m., crews were still at the scene investigating. Witnesses spotted a refrigeration repair team head inside as well, but it's unclear if that was connected to the cause of the "unknown substance.

Fire officials said the incident was turned over to the Riverside County Environmental Health Department.

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Images by Joe Fanaselle