Several treated in possible hazardous materials situation in Union
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UNION, N.J. - Officials are treating several people in an apparent hazardous materials situation in Union Thursday afternoon.
It happened in or near the 2nd Ave. Thrift Superstore.
The Fire Department and EMS are on the scene.
Check back soon for more information on this developing story.
Union fire chief: 17 treated after "chemical odor" detected at thrift store
A hazmat situation at a thrift store in New Jersey on Wednesday resulted in more than a dozen people seeking medical attention.
As CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis reported, it happened at the 2nd Avenue Thrift Superstore.
Although there appeared to be some staff walking around inside, the store was closed for the rest of the day.
Chopper 2 flew over the thrift store on Wednesday afternoon as Union fire and police responded. EMS was also on scene treating patients. They were called to the Morris Avenue store at around 12:45 p.m. due to a "chemical odor" and evacuated the building.
It marked the second time fire crews were called to the store on Wednesday, Earlier, they transported a patient who had lost consciousness.
The fire chief said between the two incidents, there were 17 patients total. Some were said to be nauseous, some had hives on their bodies, and others were just concerned.
A hazmat crew was brought in to investigate.
"Unfortunately, we were unable to determine what the product was. The facility takes in a lot of used stuff from other residential houses -- furniture, clothes, cleaning products -- so we believe that two products were mixed, might have spilled within a box. We just don't know what products they were," Union Township Fire Chief Gregory Ricciardi said.
A total of two people were taken to the hospital.
While the store is currently closed, there was a sign on the door noting it would reopen Thursday.