At least 69 people were seen or treated by medical staff Wednesday after a hazardous materials spill at Hobby Lobby in Antioch, according to the Contra Costa Fire Protection District.
First responders from Con Fire responded to a call around 2:50 p.m. at the craft store on Lone Tree Way, the agency said.
Councilman Mike Barbanica, citing Antioch police, said a customer sprayed an employee with bear mace following a verbal altercation. Police were still trying to find the suspect late Wednesday.
Fire officials initially said the customer brought in a container into the store to see if they knew what was inside. The store was then evacuated and emergency crews were called.
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Investigators have not located any container, but they do believe that it did not come from Hobby Lobby. The materials released into the air caused skin irritations, watery eyes and respiratory distress for some people.
Three people were taken to the hospital.
Hazardous materials crews inspected the container to determine the chemical that was in it. The store reopened around 5:30 p.m.
Firefighters said no other stores in the shopping center were evacuated.
Police describe the suspect as a man, who was last seen wearing a pink beanie and drove away from the area in a white car.
