The Dollar Tree store, 3890 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold was closed for about 30 minutes Sunday (Sept. 29) after a strange odor filled the building, said Ron Harder, spokesman for the Rock Community Fire Protection District.
It was determined the odor was caused by a malfunctioning air-conditioning unit on the store’s roof, so the building was ventilated by keeping the doors open, Harder said.
He said firefighters closed the doors for about 30 minutes to determine if there could have been another reason for the odor.
“Everything came back with a negative reading,” Harder said. “We were unable to detect any substance or smell anything.”
A store employee said he saw a canister that could have contained pepper spray, and some people in the store said they had a burning sensation in their eyes or throat. However, no one needed medical assistance, Harder said.
He said Arnold Police took a statement from the employee and no chemical appeared to have been discharged in the store.