SeaTac hotel evacuated after guests report breathing issues

SEATAC -- A six-story SeaTac hotel was evacuated for a while Monday afternoon after employees and guests complained of a “chemical” odor on the fourth floor that caused respiratory distress and coughing.

The Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority was dispatched to the call at 12:23 p.m., and found more than a dozen people who complained of the respiratory symptoms, the department said. Thirteen were transported to local hospitals. Several others declined aid.

All suffered from minor breathing distress and were evaluated as a precaution, the fire department said.  Six of the treated were hotel employees and several others were airline employees.

The hazardous materials response team searched the building for more than two hours, but were unable to locate a source. The hotel was ventilated before employees and guests were allowed to re-enter the building.

The department said it was unknown whether a report of an argument overheard in the hallway of the fourth floor heard by several people shortly before the chemical smell was a contributing factor. No one was located associated with the argument, the department said.