Gas Canister In Old Safe Discharges, Causing Injuries
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Six funeral home workers in Magnolia were
sickened when a gas canister serving as a security device in a
century-old safe discharged as an employee closed door.
The six were treated and released at a hospital yesterday for
burning eyes and other symptoms.
Columbia County Office of Emergency Services director Larry
Taylor said it was likely tear gas in the vial.
The glass tubes were inside an aluminum housing behind the
tumblers of the safe. When the vials broke and the liquid came in
contact with the air it turned brown as a chemical reaction
occurred.
Officials say the employees bent over to see what the substance
was and their eyes began to burn.
Taylor says a decontamination unit was set up at the scene and
the Lewis Funeral Home building evacuated. The business was
operating again today.
Posted by Mike Hellgren
