Chemical fumes empty mall

Patrons and workers of several businesses at an Aiea strip mall evacuated on their own Wednesday after breathing fumes from a floor sealant being applied in an office.

Honolulu Fire Department Capt. David Jenkins said 14 firefighters responded to a 6:26 p.m. report of a chemical odor at the Westridge Shopping Center, 98-150 Kaonohi St., across from Pearlridge Center.

Workers at one of the businesses were applying a floor sealant when the fumes got swept into the building’s air-conditioning system and was redistributed throughout the first floor of the two-story building. The building’s second floor is on a separate system, Jenkins said.

Environmental activist Carroll Cox, who had just finished dinner across the street, saw people coming out of the 7-Eleven, Makino Chaya and other restaurants, clutching their throats, coughing and complaining of headaches.

The fire crews shut down the air-conditioning unit, opened up the doors and ventilated the businesses using the department’s ventilation equipment.

Fire personnel treated one person for nausea until a city Emergency Medical Services crew arrived and treated and evaluated the person, who refused further treatment, Jenkins said.

Fire crews completed their work at 8:35 p.m., and workers were allowed back in to put their equipment away.