Jan. 31--Ten people were overcome by pepper spray at a medical office building in Coral Springs on Wednesday, according to Coral Springs Fire Rescue.
A pepper spray canister discharged inside a woman's purse, causing the evacuation of more than three dozen people from the two-story Central Medical Plaza, spokesman Mike Moser said.
Eight of 10 people treated required hospitalization for a variety of complaints, he said.
"Symptoms ranged from skin irritation to difficulty breathing," Moser said. "One patient actually was almost unconscious."
The pepper spray circulated through the building's vents prompting the evacuation.
"It went through the air conditioning system," Moser said. "That's why we had so many patients because it was dispersed throughout the building."
Up to 50 firefighters, including a hazardous material team, spent a couple of hours searching the medical complex for the source of the fumes, he said.
It happened around 4:30 p.m. at 9750 NW 33rd St., where 15 to 20 doctors have offices.
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