Four people were taken to hospitals after a vegetable oil processing plant mistakenly mixed two chemicals that created a noxious smell that blew into a neighboring business, fire officials said.
The incident began about 10:30 a.m. Monday at Agri-Fine Corp., 2701 E. 100th St., officials said.
Hazardous materials crews responded after two chemicals were mixed at the business that shouldn’t have been, creating “fumes that were caustic in nature,” Fire Department spokesman Kevin MacGregor said.
The fumes blew into Andrews Automotive Corp., 10055 S. Torrence Ave., where four workers were taken to hospitals. Dave Andrews, owner of the business, said most of his 31 employees were bothered by the smell though most refused treatment.
Jim Hoelzeman, owner of Agri-Fine, said none of his employees were bothered by the smell and that he didn’t know what caused the fumes.
