2009-05-13 13:29:28
Tue May 12, 9:01 pm ET
SAN JOSE, Calif. An office worker cleaning a fridge full of rotten food
created a smell so noxious that it sent seven co-workers to the hospital and
made many others ill. Firefighters had to evacuate the AT&T building in
downtown San Jose on Tuesday, after the flagrant fumes prompted someone to call
911. A hazmat team was called in.
What they found was an unplugged refrigerator that had been crammed with moldy
food.
Authorities said an enterprising office worker had decided to clean it out,
placing the food in a conference room while using two cleaning chemicals to
scrub down the mess. The mixture of old lunches and disinfectant caused 28
people to need treatment for vomiting and nausea.
Authorities said the worker who cleaned the fridge didn't need treatment she
can't smell because of allergies.