Mystery 'respiratory irritant' triggers Gwinnett bank evacuation
A "respiratory irritant"with a mysterious source triggered an evacuation at Gwinnett County bank and sent one person to the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
Gwinnett County fire Deputy Chief Charles Wells said crews responded to the Bank of America at 615 W. Pike St. in Lawrenceville around 1:30 p.m. The bank's employees and customers were outside when they arrived.
A total of 10 patients were evaluated "with respiratory complaints of coughing and shortness of breath," Wells said in an emailed statement. One of the patients was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening symptoms.
"After testing the area with several atmospheric monitors and other available equipment, the substance was determined to be some form of respiratory irritant," Wells said. "The hazardous material team could not determine the exact substance."
The building was ventilated and deemed safe. Wells said Lawrenceville police will review surveillance video "to try and determine how the irritant was introduced into the building and if a crime was committed."
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Tyler Estep hosts the AJC Win Column, Atlanta's new weekly destination for all things sports. He also shepherds the Sports Daily and Braves Report newsletters to your inbox.
