HealthPoint in Cape Girardeau evacuated Friday due to fumes

HealthPoint Plaza in Cape Girardeau was evacuated Friday morning after cleaning chemicals accidentally mixed in the facility's laundry room caused a reaction creating noxious fumes.

Two employees were taken to the hospital by private vehicle for precautionary reasons, HealthPoint director Frankie Erlacker said just after the evacuation. A news release from Southeast Hospital later said that three people had been taken by private vehicle to Southeast's emergency room for "precautionary reasons." The release also said the evacuation was done as a precaution to protect the people at HealthPoint.

About 200 people are in the building normally this time of day, Erlacker

said.

Several people who were exercising in the building said they smelled an ammonia-like odor shortly before they were asked to leave the building.

People stand and sit outside HealthPoint Plaza in Cape Girardeau on Friday, Jan, 27, 2012, after it was evacuated due to fumes from cleaning chemicals that were mixed improperly. (Laura Simon)

Around 11:15 a.m., the Cape Girardeau Fire Department was called to remove a 15-gallon container of the mixed chemicals and remove fumes from the building, the news release said. The removal was complete by 12:36 p.m.

Some people waited outside the building while the Cape Girardeau Fire Department worked to clear the facility of fumes. Five fire trucks and an ambulance were on the scene. Firefighters used fans in the building's front door to clear fumes.

The facility reopened at 2 p.m.

Pertinent address:

2126 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO