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Everyone got out safely, many clutching their terrified kids and shopping bags. Many stumbled out coughing and gasping.
Some 15 employees and customers were treated at the scene with
oxygen, and five others who suffered more serious symptoms, including
dizziness and nausea, were rushed to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital and
St. Vincent's Midtown Hospital. Cops last night were reviewing surveillance tapes and believe the spray was sent airborne in or near a store elevator...
Firefighters using high-tech hand-held toxin sensors rushed
into the building at 44th Street and Seventh Avenue. They were quickly
able to determine that the noxious fumes were not lethal.
"We feel strongly that just pepper spray was dispersed," said Deputy Chief Michael Falotico.
Fire officials believe it was not an orchestrated attack, but likely an accidental release of self-defense aerosol irritant, which
can temporarily disable a person. Fire Capt. Mike Myers said it could have been in a purse or on a key chain. He said the fumes had been detected in three locations near the
elevator banks on the first two floors of the three-story building. ...the doors reopened 30 minutes later to business as usual.
Source...
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/35253.htm
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