Walmart Hazmat Incident
Deptford Walmart evacuated and 19 hospitalized after mysterious fumes sicken shoppers and workers.
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Eyewitnesses described a gas-like smell and throat burning inside the Deptford Walmart, with Tony Patton saying 'it got in my throat like a gas smell' and Crystal Davison noting a man coughing and falling to the ground.
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The store was closed overnight and planned to reopen around 6 a.m. the next morning, with precautionary removal of items such as produce and baked goods from shelves.
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Roughly two dozen people exited the store coughing or irritated, and about 19 were hospitalized for evaluation, though officials described most symptoms as minor.
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Walmart facilities staff joined fire and hazmat crews in the response, with investigators reviewing whether the irritant originated from a mechanical source or specific store sections.
A Walmart on Cooper Street in Deptford, New Jersey was evacuated on September 1 after fumes sickened shoppers and workers inside the store. About 20 people left coughing and complaining of throat irritation, with 19 requiring hospital evaluation Burlington County Times. Hazmat teams and fire crews rushed to the scene as officials launched an investigation to find the source.
After initial checks found no hazards remaining in the store, investigators determined the culprit: an aerosol canister of Hot Shot Flying Insect Killer NBC Philadelphia. The store closed overnight for deep cleaning and precautionary removal of produce and baked goods from shelves, with plans to reopen around 6 a.m. the next morning The Daily Journal.
Shoppers Report Burning Sensations and Gas-Like Smell
Eyewitness Tony Patton described the experience inside the store, saying the irritant "got in my throat like a gas smell." Crystal Davison witnessed a man coughing so hard he fell to the ground Courier-Post Online. The symptoms spread quickly through the store, prompting staff to begin evacuating customers and workers immediately.
Hazmat Teams Swarm Store for Emergency Response
Hazmat teams, fire departments, and county emergency management crews responded to Cooper Street within minutes of the first reports. Walmart facilities staff worked alongside responders to clear the building and assess the situation Burlington County Times. Officials checked the entire store for lingering dangers but found none after initial sweeps were complete.
Bug Spray Canister Identified as the Source
Gloucester County Emergency Management revealed that the mystery irritant came from a single aerosol canister of Hot Shot Flying Insect Killer NBC Philadelphia. The canister had apparently leaked or discharged inside the store, releasing fumes that spread through the shopping area. No other sources of contamination were found during the investigation.
Most of the 19 people hospitalized for observation experienced only mild symptoms like throat irritation and coughing The Daily Journal. No serious injuries were reported. The store reopened the next morning after staff completed a deep cleaning and removed affected items from shelves as a precaution.
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