Crime & Safety

Update: Mysterious Fumes in Office Building Send 8 to Hospital

Twenty-one people at an office building near Fashion Island complain of eye irritation from fumes.

Eight people were hospitalized Tuesday evening after coming in contact with unidentified fumes at an office building near Fashion Island, a fire official said.

Firefighters responded to 180 Newport Center Dr. about 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to Jennifer Schulz of the Newport Beach Fire Department.

"Once on scene, the first arriving unit found several people, coming from the building and the underground parking structure, who were covering their eyes and mouth and complaining of a strong odor," Schulz said.

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About 100 people were seen exiting the building when firefighters arrived on scene. It was later evacuated. Twenty-one patients were treated, and eight were hospitalized for eye irritation and respiratory distress.

Two specialized hazardous-materials units from Huntington Beach and the Orange County Fire Authority searched and inspected the building for five hours, but nothing was found, Schulz said. The building and parking structure were ventilated and released to the owner.

Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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