200 Overcome as Fumes Fill Office Tower in Texas
Fumes of unknown origin seeped through a nine-story office building Tuesday, causing 200 people to be treated for nausea, coughing and dizziness.
At least 65 people were taken to nearby hospitals and the rest were treated at the scene after fumes filled the building by early afternoon.
“We’ve had people from all the floors with some complaint,” said Fire Department Lt. Kent Morley. “I saw several here that seemed to be in discomfort and a few who were in a little worse distress.”
The source of the fumes was not immediately known. Morley noted the building’s air conditioner had been serviced Monday and investigators were checking that as a possible source.
Office workers at the Overton Center office tower began complaining of breathing problems, nausea, headaches and sore throats, and emergency teams rushed to the site.
Morley said most of those affected were customer service employees of United Parcel Service. About 1,100 people work in the office tower.
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