Bug bombs force apartment-complex evacuation

Boulevard Apartments, 43 S. West End Blvd., were evacuated at about 10:30 a.m. Thursday after bug bombs and fog with pesticide spread to rooms on the third and fourth floors of the apartment complex.

Four people were transported to Saint Francis Medical Center -- first two occupants and one firefighter.

Another firefighter was transported later.

Cape Girardeau fire marshal Brian Schaffer said firefighters were not using gas masks immediately because of limited information on the call.

"We didn't know what was going on," Schaffer said.

Cape Girardeau fire and police departments set up a triage in front of the apartments so occupants could receive medical attention.

Schaffer said nine people were given oxygen.

Occupant Frank Snider, who has lived at Boulevard Apartments since July 2014, said the fumes seeped into other apartments.

"I woke up coughing up blood," Snider said.

Fellow occupant James Stewart said he received a treatment of albuterol.

"I got woken up by the sirens," Stewart said. "I smelled something kind of funny, and I went out to the railing. I couldn't catch my breath."

Schaffer said the fumes leaked in through chases in the walls.

Advanced Pest Control released the bug bombs and used the fog.

Schaffer said Advanced always does Boulevard Apartments' pest control, and they followed the same procedure as recently as three weeks prior.

"They do this all day, across Cape, every day," Schaffer said. "I can't quite pinpoint why so many people got sick."

Cape Girardeau County officials recommend occupants throw away any food that was left out, but anything left in pantries and refrigerators should be fine.

They also recommend cleaning counters and table tops thoroughly.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

45 S. West End Blvd, Cape Girardeau, Mo.