Authorities: 'Nothing Toxic' Found At Secaucus Kohl's Store After 14 Sickened
SEACAUCUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Authorities haven't determined what made some shoppers so sick that a Secaucus department store had to be evacuated.
A hazardous materials crew was called to a Kohl's store around 9 p.m. Sunday after some shoppers complained of nausea, sore throats and difficulty breathing.
The substance seemed to be coming from the front of the store by the cash registers, CBS2's Brian Webb reported. Witnesses said some shoppers were coughing, choking and even vomiting.
Secaucus Detective Sgt. Mike Torres said 14 people were sickened and two had to be hospitalized.
"The origin and cause is still under investigation. However, the Jersey City hazmat unit did enter Kohl's and conducted their investigation and found nothing toxic in the air," Torres told WCBS 880. "So that's great news."
Authorities let shoppers and workers re-enter the building just before 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
Kohl's has been staying open 24 hours a day during the holiday season.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)