Dozens of patients at Loma Linda University Medical Center were evacuated Thursday after noxious fumes from a roofing adhesive entered the medical center’s ventilation system. After more than seven hours, the shuttered emergency room finally reopened. Jacob Rascon reports from Loma Linda for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2012.
An evacuation was ordered for part of the Loma Linda University Medical Center Thursday after fumes from an adhesive entered the air system, according to fire department officials.
After seven hours, the ER was reopened, officials said.
People inside the medical center complained of nausea and dizziness, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. Getting fresh air is the best way to combat the symptoms, officials said.
“It smelled like something was burning,” said one evacuee.
Crews working on the building's roof sprayed the adhesive, which entered the air system.
"Unfortunately, they were close to an air handling unit," said Fire Marshal James Gray
Several floors were evacuated, including the emergency room. Aerial video showed patients under tents set up outside the building.
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Fans were being used to clear the air inside.
“So far we don’t have any reports of any major injuries to our patients,” said Tony Yang of the Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Loma Linda University Medical Center is about 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
