Two Marines and two civilians were decontaminated and taken to a local hospital Friday after being exposed to remnants of CS gas.
Emergency crews were called to the east gate of MCAS Miramar at about 9 a.m. Friday after two guards and two civilians reported feeling nauseated and had discomfort in their throats and eyes, according to base officials.
The gate was closed as emergency responders worked to determine the cause.
“We had a CS gas (somewhat like tear gas) training evolution earlier in the day, and some Marines who had been heavily exposed to the gas transited through the gate, the CS remnants on them passing to the Marines at the gate,” said 1st Lt. Maureen Dooley.
The four patients were decontaminated and taken to a local hospital for further examination.
“For anyone who is not expecting to be exposed to the substance, it can be somewhat disconcerting,” said 1st Lt. Dooley.
The gate was closed for nearly three hours as precautionary measure, according to base officials.
“While this may have been a small incident, we take every possible hazardous incident extremely seriously and will respond with all necessary assets to assist with investigation and clean up.
Something like this will not be taken lightly,” said 1st Lt. Dooley.
The gate was reopened at about 11.45 a.m.
Keep up to date on breaking news: Follow us on Twitter @nbcsandiego, fan us on Facebook, sign up for our breaking news e-mail alerts or text SDBREAKING to 622339 to receive text messages for local breaking news. (For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.)
