Courier evacuated after chemical odor sickens six

May 12– The Courier building was briefly evacuated and three employees treated and released at Hardin Medical Center on Wednesday after a suspicious odor was reported at 7:33 p.m.

Courier circulation manager Lara Wilkerson said a total of six employees, including one teenage juvenile, said they had headaches and felt sick at the stomach after smelling a strong odor described as similar to spray paint or paint thinner.

Three workers were examined at the scene by emergency medical personnel but did not go to the hospital.

Approximately 18 employees or relatives of employees were in and out of the building at the time.

The employees were assembling sections of the newspaper in a bay with two open garage doors. A door leading to the bay from the main office was open, as was the front door to accommodate Wednesday night paper sales.

Because of the heat, several fans were running in both the bay and office portion of the building.

Savannah Fire Department staff went through the building and were unable to detect any hazardous chemical with their equipment.

"They were fast, they were professional and they were really mindful of everybody’s safety," said Wilkerson.

The Courier’s presses are located in Huntingdon, Tenn., and no hazardous chemicals are used or stored in the newspaper office or bay.

The Courier is open for business today as usual.

There were no delays in transporting subscribers’ papers to the U.S. Postal Service for delivery or to area businesses for rack sales.