Chemical Fumes Force Evacuation of 2nd-Floor Glendale Apartments

A military riot control chemical was scattered in the hallway of a Glendale building early Tuesday, stinging tenants’ eyes and throats and forcing evacuation of the building’s second floor, Glendale firefighters reported.

Four apartments of the business and residential complex in the 1800 block of West Glenoaks Boulevard were evacuated and seven people treated at the scene by paramedics and released, Glendale Police Officer Mario Yagoda said.

Red Cross workers arranged temporary housing for the residents, and a private hazardous materials cleanup company was hired to remove the powder.

Yagoda said investigators found a trail of the white powder in the second-floor apartment hallway and a pair of rubber gloves discarded outside the building.

No motive for the spill was immediately established, he said.

Richard Feldman, a Los Angeles County hazardous materials specialist, said the white powder, originally believed to be an insecticide, was later identified as a chemical commonly used by police or military units for riot control. The chemical has effects similar to those of tear gas.

Feldman said he did not know where an intruder could have obtained the chemical. He said it generally causes no permanent damage.

Cleanup efforts were continuing Tuesday evening and the evacuation order remained in force. Authorities ordered five businesses on the first floor of the building to remain closed until the chemical was fully removed.