Mysterious odour at New Brunswick manufacturing complex sends 34 to hospital

MIRAMICHI, N.B. - Police say 34 workers have been sent to hospital in northern New Brunswick after a mysterious odour was detected at an industrial manufacturing complex.

Const. Todd Chadwick of the Miramichi Police Force said officers were called to Sunny Corner Enterprises early Wednesday after a man passed out.

Chadwick said the man had regained consciousness by the time police arrived, but officers noticed a suspicious smell and the building was evacuated.

He said seven workers were taken to the local hospital by ambulance, while the remaining 27 were taken there by bus.

"When the police arrived, the person who had passed out had regained consciousness and was on a chair outside with other employees," Chadwick said.

"Police noticed right away there was an odour in the air — a suspicious odour — and requested that the building be evacuated immediately."

Chadwick said some of the workers were complaining of headache, nausea and difficulty breathing.

Police and fire crews were unable to find the source of the odour but have determined the site is not a danger to the public, he said.

WorkSafeNB is on site and continues to investigate.

Chadwick said Sunny Corner Enterprises manufactures industrial equipment.