Three people were treated for complaints of illness Thursday following possible exposure to an unknown substance in the downtown Los Angeles area.
Paramedics were sent to the 300 block of East Second Street about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, and the street was closed between Central Avenue and San Pedro Street as a precaution, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“Police Officers from one or more agencies were reportedly involved in a law enforcement tactical operation when a yet-to-be-identified substance was spilled upon a sidewalk,” the LAFD said in a statement early Thursday afternoon.
The statement said that at least three people, all believed to be men, became ill with “non-specific symptoms.”
“Two of those patients have been taken by LAFD ambulance to an area hospital, where one refused care. The remaining patient continues to be medically evaluated at the scene, pending ambulance transport, as an LAFD Hazardous Materials Task Force completes a comprehensive assessment of the location and endeavors to positively identify the substance.”
No other patients were identified, the LAFD reported.
“There is currently no escalating or off-site hazard,” the LAFD statement said. “Second Street remains fully closed between Central Avenue and San Pedro Street until LAFD operations are complete and the site has been confirmed safe for public access. … Travelers are asked to avoid the area and consider an alternate route.”