KINGSTON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Hazmat crews identified the odor that caused some to report respiratory issues and the evacuation of the Independence Mall late Tuesday afternoon.
The incident began at around 4:25 p.m., when someone inside the movie theater called 911 and reported an odor. A follow-up emergency call came from the food court and reported an odor. Other callers complained of respiratory issues, the Kingston Fire Chief Robert Keith said. People reported coughing and having difficulty catching their breath.
Surrounding towns, including Duxbury and Natick sent ambulances and fire engines to the scene, which was categorized as a mass casualty and hazmat response. Officials evacuated the mall. Fifteen to 30 people reported symptoms and were evaluated at the scene, with 10 people being taken to local hospitals for further treatment.
"It was just crazy," said shopper Kyra Gomez.
The mall was closed for the night while responders, including the state's hazmat unit, conducted air quality checks and determined the cause of the odor. Late Tuesday night a investigators identified the source of that odor as a leaky refrigerator in the food court. Gas leaked out of the unit and made people sick.
"It was a localized leak, not a very substantial leak," Heath said. "But it's in an enclosed area."
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