The fumes at the warehouse, located in Lexington, were reported to authorities around 9 am, The Lexington Herald Leader reports. By 10:50am a hazmat team had arrive and put the package in a sealed container.
Authorities are still investigating what was in the box, reports WTVQ, but have discovered it contained a dry powder that got mixed with an “incompatible liquid” producing the toxic fumes.
Four city buses were dispatched to take hundreds of employees away from the warehouse.
Six reported experiencing burning eyes and irritation in their throats, with one needing to be taken to a local hospital. But officials say the injuries were not life-threatening.
The incidents even drew the attention of Last Week Tonight host John Oliver in a segment about warehouse safety.
Dallas Fire-Rescue crews were called out to the scene off J.J. Lemon Road near the LBJ Freeway and Interstate 45 just before 11 a.m.
They were asked to bring a rescue boat because the body was reportedly found in a nearby pond. But police said there was not actually enough water to justify a boat.
