Noxious Odor at Maui Morgue Forces Evacuation

MPD Forensic Facility/ Crime Lab. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Two women were transported to the hospital in stable condition after complaints of a noxious odor at the County Morgue in Wailuku on Wednesday.

The incident was reported at 8:23 a.m. at the Maui Crime Lab and Forensic Facility located at 1831 Wili Pa Loop in the Wailuku Mill Yard.

The women, ages 26 and 27, were part of a new hire class of police dispatchers who were in a classroom on the second floor of the structure when the incident was reported, officials said.

A total of about 10 people were evacuated from the building when students reported feeling ill from odors within the classroom, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

In addition to the two women, an employee complaining of nausea was treated at the scene and later transported to the emergency room by medics, said Mainaga.

The incident was classified as a possible hazardous materials exposure, although the cause of the odor was undetermined, officials said.

According to Mainaga, hazmat technicians conducted air sampling and testing and deemed the air quality to be safe at 9:30 a.m., after the odor had dissipated.

In addition to hazmat crews, firefighters from Engine 1 and paramedics from Medic 1 in Wailuku were dispatched to the scene.