By Timia Cobb, Darian Stevenson
syracuse.com
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A pepper spray canister was set off in a movie theater Tuesday at Destiny USA, firefighters said.
When firefighters arrived shortly after 1 p.m., they discovered a canister with a pepper spray substance that was accidentally dispersed, said District Chief Matt Craner, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Fire Department. The incident happened during a 12:30 p.m. showing of “Twisters” at Regal Destiny USA.
All of the people in the theater evacuated into the concession area on the third floor, Craner said.
Craner said 10 people were evaluated for exposure to the pepper spray and one person was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Four American Medical Response ambulances also assisted at the scene.
Moviegoers complained of eye and respiratory irritation, symptoms that are consistent with exposure to pepper spray, Craner said. Those affected by the spray used nearby water fountains to rinse their eyes and mouths.
Ivan Rodriguez, 52, said as he watched the movie, the pepper spray came from the bottom of the theater.
“During the movie, we heard this sort of loud hiss, and I thought it was part of the movie because we were watching ‘Twisters,’” Rodriguez said. “And then people started moving but I didn’t know what was happening.”
Rodriguez said he didn’t feel the effects of the pepper spray at first.
“Then all of a sudden, it just hits you,” he said.
Another moviegoer — Emily Krump, 19, of Florida — said she was in the theater with family and about 40 other people when the canister exploded.
Krump said she saw something being sprayed into the air. People started to cough and run out of the theater she said.
People who were inside the theater were seen putting clothes into plastic bags to be washed and throwing away blankets.
Firefighters used air monitoring equipment to ensure there was no further hazard inside the theater, Craner said. The theater where “Twisters” was showing was shut down for cleaning. There was no hazard in any of the other theaters, he said.
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