WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Cleaning chemical causes evacuation scare at Benedict

Cleaning chemical causes evacuation scare at Benedict

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS/AP) - Classes shut down Tuesday at Benedict College because of a mysterious odor. But they'll resume at 6pm.

Emergency officials in Columbia evacuated a building at Benedict College after several people complained of breathing problems and were sent to area hospitals for evaluation Tuesday morning.

Dr. May Samuel says, "When I was walking up the stairwell towards my office, I had to stop, pause for a moment, because I smelled a real peculiar odor."

That lingering odor is what sent Dr. Samuel and five other people to the hospital. It was an industrial cleaning solution that caused the breathing problems.

A housekeeping associate had just mopped the second floor hallway. Dr. Samuel says she "started feeling dizzy and light headed and my eye started burning."

Several people complained of a strong odor, watery eyes, nasal burning and irritated skin.

A statement from Benedict College says the six included three faculty members, a police officer, a firefighter and "another individual."

Columbia Fire Deputy Chief Aubrey Jenkins says the injuries were not serious.

Because of the reaction the solution was having, campus police took no chances. So they evacuated all 125 people in Benedict's Alumni Building. Alumni Hall houses the Science, Technology, Math and Engineering departments.

India Smalls says, "I thought it was a really big fire. I saw a couple people and I saw an ambulance. I was scared."

Fire, EMS, and Hazmat crews were called to the scene. And after going in three times, the building was given the all clear.

There's no word on the name of the chemical that caused all of this commotion.

Reported by Brandi Cummings with AP

Posted by Chantelle Janelle

Copyright 2007 Raycom Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.