Spokane Mall evacuated after fumes sicken people
{{date|February 11, 2007}}

Thousands of people were evacuated from Northtown Mall, in [[w:Spokane, WA|Spokane, WA]] following complaints that unknown fumes were causing throat irritation and blocked throats at around 3:30 p.m. [[w:Pacific Time|Pacific Time]] on Sunday. 
Eight people were moved to hospital by ambulance while others reached hospital on their own. None are believed to be in a life-threatening condition.

Firefighters on scene used specialized equipment to attempt to identify air contaminants, but initial tests were "unconclusive".  Hazardous materials crews continued to investigate the nature of the fumes during the later afternoon after closure of the mall. 

Firefighters have deemed the mall safe, and mall security allowed certain staff to perform the mall closing operations. The mall is expected to open as usual on Monday.

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.krem.com/topstories/stories/krem2_021107_mallgasleak.739f4ee5.html
|title=Mysterious chemical exposure evacuates NorthTown Mall
|author=
|pub=KREM
|date=February 11, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.wbir.com/news/national/story.aspx?storyid=42151&provider=gnews
|title=Spokane mall evacuated for fumes
|author=Associated Press
|pub=WBIR News
|date=February 11, 2007}}

{{Archived}}
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[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Washington]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
Thousands of people were evacuated from Northtown Mall, in Spokane, WA following complaints that unknown fumes were causing throat irritation and blocked throats at around 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday. 
Eight people were moved to hospital by ambulance while others reached hospital on their own. None are believed to be in a life-threatening condition.

Firefighters on scene used specialized equipment to attempt to identify air contaminants, but initial tests were "unconclusive".  Hazardous materials crews continued to investigate the nature of the fumes during the later afternoon after closure of the mall. 

Firefighters have deemed the mall safe, and mall security allowed certain staff to perform the mall closing operations. The mall is expected to open as usual on Monday.
Disasters and accidents Washington United States North America