A whiff of a pepper-spray-like substance sent three people to the hospital and more than 100 guests out of their rooms at the American Motel in Wheat Ridge on Saturday night.
But after determining that the substance was not dangerous, authorities let guests back into their rooms. Wheat Ridge police continue to investigate why someone sprayed the substance in a third-floor room.
“With that type of pepper spray, it aerosolizes and gets carried through a building or area either through the ventilation or air current,” said Kevin Ferry, Arvada Fire District’s fire marshal.
The room was sealed off and the rest of the motel at 10101 North I-70 Service Road in Wheat Ridge has been adequately ventilated.
“It’s more of an irritation, a severe irritation,” he said. “Burning eyes, maybe difficulty breathing but it’s not thought to be life threatening.”
The Arvada Fire District arrived at the scene around 6:30 p.m. after calls about people getting ill. Three people were earlier sent to the hospital as a precaution.
Tamara Chuang: 303-954-1209, tchuang@denverpost.com or
