San Diego
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A strange chemical smell downtown forced the evacuation of several workers who were hosing down the basement of a razed building Friday.
Firefighters from the County Hazardous Materials Unit closed off the corner of 8th Avenue and B Street for several hours while investigators checked the odor, which was determined not to be dangerous.
The odor was attributed to a leaking container filled with hydrogen sulfide that let off a “rotten egg smell” when hit by the water, said Ida Cheney, public information officer for the Fire Department.
Workers first detected the smell about 10:30 a.m. and called a chemical testing company. Firefighters were called in about 1:30 p.m., after the testing company couldn’t immediately analyze the chemicals, a spokesman for Wagner Construction Co. said.
The construction site remained evacuated until firefighters arrived, the spokesman said.
Wagner Construction Co. has been demolishing the building at 8th and B to make way for Symphony Towers.
One worker was taken to a clinic, after complaining of nausea.
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