LAFD: Smoke seen above Huntsman Chemical in Atwater Village was caused by a packaging mishap

A mishap at a chemical company prompted a brief evacuation and a hazmat response in the Atwater Village area Thursday.

Firefighters responded to Huntsman Chemical, 4541 W. Electronics Pl., just after 8:30 a.m. due to an automatic fire alarm and reports of a vapor cloud. About 200 workers from multiple buildings at the complex were evacuated as a precaution while hazardous materials squads responded to the scene.

There was never any fire, Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said. No injuries were reported.

After further investigation, authorities say the gas came from a product called "Reninfusion 8610," a one-component epoxy system that requires a heating process. The product's mixing vessel overheated, which triggered the pressure relief valve, according to the LAFD. The valve operated as designed, expelling gas into the air and creating a small cloud that authorities say rapidly dissipated.

The product's corrosive hazards are with direct contact when it's in a liquid state, but no workers on the scene had any medical complaints, according to Stewart.

A leak of a small amount of product was contained, Stewart said, and hazmat firefighters checked the business with specialized gas meters and determined there was no current threat or readings of concern on the meters.

Residents in the area who smell an unusual odor were directed to close their windows and doors and shelter in place, or leave the area south of the business.