December 30, 2006

Chemical spray set off at Target

       About 20 people were sickened or discomforted by a chemical spray released Thursday night in Target on State Road 135 in Greenwood, fire and health officials said.  The spray, released about 7 p.m. in the south side of the store, caused several people to vomit. Others complained about vision and respiratory problems. Thousands of dollars worth of produce and other goods at the store were damaged, White River Township Fire Department spokesman Jim Engmark said.  Health department officials said they believe the chemical was pepper spray, which is derived from the fruit of some types of plants, including chilies, but have not done a chemical test to confirm it. Greenwood Police Chief Joe Pitcher said in an e-mail Friday that he does not know who is responsible for spraying the chemical. Store officials said they had video footage of the incident and police had access to it.  "I am sure that if Target finds anything suspicious on their security cameras, they will give us a call," Pitcher said.  Pitcher said the spray might have been set off inadvertently because fire crews were dispatched before police.

         Chemicals filled the air in the produce section and in a small Starbucks coffee shop near the south doors of the 125,000-square-foot building.  About 20 people, some employees and some customers, felt ill, and some planned to seek treatment for breathing, digestive and vision problems, the fire official said.  Engmark said he thought at least one employee, who is pregnant and was sickened by the chemical, went to a hospital.  "We encouraged all of the employees to make the best decision for their own health," said Scott Fox, a Target manager.  No one was transported to a hospital by ambulance, Engmark said.  Fox said he wasn't sure how many people had been in the store.  A Target employee made an announcement about the incident over the intercom to warn shoppers.  The store was evacuated after the incident and was closed for the remainder of the evening.

         Target officials said employees worked with fire, police and health departments to clean floors and hard merchandise and throw away fruits and vegetables.  A 30-foot area containing fruit and vegetable displays had to be cleaned and all of the produce was discarded, said Terry Bayless with the Johnson County Health Department. Disposable coffee cups and utensils in the coffee shop also were thrown out.  Bayless said to his knowledge the department has not dealt with a similar incident before.  "We usually do extinguishers and cleanups, but those aren't irritants like (the spray). They are just dust and dirt," he said.

         On Friday morning, the store was open for business and staff members were restocking apples and Clementine oranges on the produce section shelves.  Police interviewed witnesses the night of the incident, store officials said.  No merchandise was stolen or missing, and no vandalism took place, Fox said.  Fire officials said about $50,000 in produce had to be destroyed. Fox, who was there at the time of the incident, would not confirm the amount.  The manager said he was unable to give any details about the incident except to say that the store is working with local police, health and fire authorities.  Health department officials planned to return to the store Friday to see if any customers had complained about health problems or if any other incidents with the chemicals had occurred, Bayless said.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 
 

---