PASADENA — A strange order at a fertility clinic prompted a hazardous materials response from firefighters Friday after people began complaining of headaches, eye irritation and sore throats, officials said.
The odor was first reported about 1:15 p.m. at the Pasadena branch of Huntington Reproductive Clinics, 333 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.
Five people were taken to a hospital with complaints of scratchy throats, eye irritation and headaches, she said. Firefighters declared the situation a hazmat incident, and firefighters from the Glendale Fire Department responded to assist.
Eighteen other people declined to be taken to a hospital and were being evaluated at the scene, Derderian said.
Hazardous materials crews ultimately found no signs of a dangerous substance, Derderian said. Whatever the source of the odor, it appeared to be some type of small leak that dissipated on its own.
Motorists saw significant slowing along Arroyo Parkway beteeen Del Mar Boulevard and Bellevue Drive as a result of the incident, Derderians said.