15 people treated after exposure to 'irritant' at Winchester Walmart - WKYT

WINCHESTER, Ky. (WKYT) - The Winchester Walmart is currently closed.

An employee tells us workers and customers alike were evacuated from the building around 9 a.m.

According to fire officials, an “irritant” of some sort, they’re not sure what yet, caused 15 people to have throat irritation and coughing symptoms. We’re told all of them were checked out by EMS on scene and no one went to the hospital.

They haven’t found the source of the irritant, but they did isolate it to the front entrance of the store. Fire crews tell us the irritant has dissipated and they used fans to recirculate fresh air back into the building.

Emergency officials have since cleared the scene.

They say Walmart will reopen at their own discretion, but we’re told store management was advised by the fire department to wait until Friday morning.

We’ll keep you updated.