Pepper spray causes nearly 50 people to evacuate Kent apartment complex

About 50 people were evacuated from apartments Sunday night in the 1400 block of West Smith Street in Kent after multiple reports of breathing problems by residents.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Monday, March 14, 2011 5:40pm
  • News

About 50 people were evacuated from apartments at about 11:09 p.m. Sunday in the 1400 block of West Smith Street in Kent after multiple reports of breathing problems by residents.

The hazardous materials team from the Kent Fire Department took air samples and determined the odor was caused by pepper spray, according to a Kent Fire Department media release.

Residents reported an odor that seemed to be causing breathing difficulty and the first Kent fire units to arrive reported about 50 people had exited the apartment units, just east of 64th Avenue South.

Additional fire personnel and the hazardous materials team were dispatched to the scene. Fire department personnel used large fans to clear the pepper spray from the building.

One resident with a history of respiratory problems was transported to a local hospital by family members. All other residents safely returned to their apartments.

Fire officials did not report any information about the source of the pepper spray.

 


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Teen crashes into fire hydrant, floods Kent apartments

15-year-old driver reportedly moving car in parking lot when he struck hydrant

t
City of Kent opens two new roundabouts along Reith Road

Contractor wraps up construction along route between West Hill and Valley

File Photo
Death of Kent man, 61, at home in October 2024 ruled homicide

King County Sheriff’s Office says incident ‘remains an open death investigation’

t
Sound Transit light rail stations in Kent closer to completion | Photos

Vehicle testing begins as agency eyes spring 2026 opening of Federal Way Link extension

t
Kent Police bust four people for DUI on New Year’s Day

Officers arrest drivers between 1 and 5 a.m. during extra patrols following New Year’s Eve

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO
Three men charged in 2023 Kent murder of 48-year-old woman

Recent witness information identifying men help lead to charges in July 2023 shooting

FILE PHOTO, Bailey Jo Josie, Sound Publishing
Chase Wilcoxson, father to Matilda, 13, and Eloise,12, places a family photo at the roadside memorial dedicated to his daughters, Buster Brown, 12, and Andrea Hudson, 38, killed in a March 19 crash.
Year in review: Kent’s top stories of 2024

A month-by-month look at several of the headlining stories.

t
Kent Reporter’s most viewed web stories of 2024

Second fatal shooting of Kent-Meridian student in three days leads the list

t
Kent man pleads guilty to attempted luring of 6-year-old girl

Prosecutors initially filed second-degree attempted kidnapping charge in July case

t
Man charged with tagging Kent water tower faces nine other cases

Kyle A. McLaughlin pleads not guilty in two cases but Kent arraignment and other cases continued

t
Vandalism at Islamic Center in Kent causes concern about potential hate crime

Man throws objects through windows at Islamic Center of Federal Way mosque before speeding off in pickup

t
Kent receives $1.1M grant for Pacific Highway pedestrian crossing

Federal funds will pay for safety improvements near South 246th Street