Fumes Close Simi Supermarket
A Simi Valley supermarket was evacuated Wednesday afternoon when fumes from cleaning chemicals circulated throughout the store, sickening employees and customers, authorities said.
Fifteen people, most of them workers at the Vons store at 660 Los Angeles Ave., complained of headaches, irritated eyes and a burning sensation when they inhaled, said Joe Luna, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department.
Ten people were taken by ambulance to area hospitals, and five were treated at the scene, he said. No major injuries were reported.
The chemicals had not been identified by late Wednesday afternoon.
The 2:40 p.m. incident began when two workers were cleaning a refrigerated unit inside the store, using a combination of chemicals that produced irritating fumes, Luna said.
About 20 employees and a handful of shoppers were in the store at the time, Luna said. Only one or two customers were affected.
The store was closed while hazardous materials crews were called in.
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