Pepper spray possible reason for evacuation of northwest Fresno FoodMaxx

Pepper spray may have caused a FoodMaxx store at 3241 W. Shaw Ave. in northwest Fresno to be evacuated for nearly four hours, beginning shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday, Fresno Fire Department spokesman Larry French said.

Shoppers complained of symptoms including watery eyes, runny noses, coughs and nausea after the possible release of a chemical inside the store, French said. During the evacuation, which concluded at 9:45 p.m., EMS workers examined a total of 24 patients, he said. None were transported to hospitals.

A hazardous materials team entered the supermarket, but was unable to accurately identify the substance because the quantity of it was low, French said. However, officials believe it may have been pepper spray, he said.

This story was originally published May 25, 2015 at 7:38 PM with the headline "Pepper spray possible reason for evacuation of northwest Fresno FoodMaxx."