Southern California grocery store shut down after suspect releases ‘irritant’

Authorities in Ventura are investigating a hazmat situation involving an “irritant” being released in a grocery store.

According to the Ventura City Fire Department, fire and medical units were dispatched to the WinCo Foods on Telephone Road around 9:15 p.m. Friday on calls of a “reported hazard” with multiple victims stating they had eye, throat and nasal irritation.

“Firefighters arrived within five minutes of dispatch to find a large grocery store with approximately 40 to 50 people outside and dispersing,” fire officials said in a statement.  “The store was shut down immediately and all customers and employees were advised to leave.”

Fire crews checked the store for hazardous materials using air monitoring devices while paramedics evaluated the customers and employees in the store’s parking lot.

No one was hospitalized, officials said, and the store was deemed safe and able to reopen within an hour.

“A suspect appeared to have left the area after releasing the irritant in a large area,” fire officials added.

No description surrounding the suspect was released.

The Ventura Police Department is investigating the incident.

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