The Senate on a 26 to 12 party-line vote approved the proposal to raise the minimum wage to $15 , sending the measure to Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature.

Flurry of activity outside Capitol building after some at rally are taken to hospital

As debate over the proposed minimum wage bill continued inside the state Capitol on Thursday, an incident that occurred during a rally outside the building drew fire and police officials and quickly raised alarm.

The Sacramento Fire Department initially described the event as a “mass casualty incident,” adding to the concern.

About 7,000 people were gathered outside the Capitol for a rally with Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, according to Chris Harvey, public information officer for the Sacramento Fire Department.

Reports of threats made during the rally have not been substantiated, Harvey said. During the event, the fire department and California Highway Patrol received “numerous” calls from people who were feeling lightheaded and experiencing chest pains and dizziness.

Five people were taken to the hospital to be treated, and some passed out, Harvey said. One person was evaluated at the scene and refused treatment.

Fire officials say the injuries were heat-related despite temperatures being in the mid-60s, and may have been caused by the tightly packed crowds gathered on the Capitol grounds.

Debate in the state Senate, which is considering the minimum wage bill that passed the Assembly earlier Thursday, continued uninterrupted.

Earlier in the day, Sacramento police removed a suspicious package found in a parking structure across the street from the Capitol, KCRA-TV reported. No evacuations or street closures were in effect.