OTTAWA, Ont. — Two people were taken to hospital and the Ottawa Hazmat team was called in after a strange smell prompted the evacuation of a Grand & Toy warehouse in the east end.

Emergency crews were called to the building at 900 Belfast Rd. near St. Laurent Blvd., around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, after employees complained of headaches, irritated throats and dizziness.

“We’re presented with 17 patients or people that were exhibiting systems of respiratory irritation,” said Gary Chamberlain, Operations Superintendent with Ottawa Paramedics. “Subsequently two individuals were transported to hospital with exacerbation of other illnesses that were related to the respiratory irritation.”  

Fire crews and the Hazmat team searched the building several times.

“This morning at around 9:00 a.m.,  the owners of the heating and ventilation building had some heating and ventilation staff come check out their machinery that functions during the winter time,”  Ottawa Police Sgt. Alex Bender told 1310News. “When they turned on the units and the air started to circulate there was an odour that was detected by one of the staff members in the buildings.”

The all-clear was given at about 12:45 p.m. after testing failed to find any toxic substances.

The 75 employees of the warehouse were given the day off following the scare.