Mystery odor at Muncie Walmart sends 8 to hospital

MUNCIE -- Authorities were called to the north Muncie Walmart store late Wednesday, when customers reportedly complained of breathing difficulties after an unusual odor was detected in the store.

Kyle Monroe, a Muncie Police Department detective investigating the incident early Thursday, said he believed eight people, including Walmart employees, had been examined at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in the wake of the incident, reported about 10:30 p.m.

All were released following treatment in the emergency room, Monroe said, and the employees were apparently returning to complete their work shifts.

Corey Ohlenkamp, a Star Press reporter, was at the scene soon after midnight, and said he was told two customers and five Walmart employees were taken to the hospital.

Monroe said the people had complained of a burning sensation in their throats after an odor was detected, first in the customer service department and then in the area where the store's cash registers are located.

The store, at 4801 W. Clara Lane, was closed for a time, but had reopened by 1 a.m.

Muncie firefighters and Delaware County Emergency Medical Service personnel reported to the scene, as did Indiana State Police and representatives of the county's emergency management agency.

Firefighters apparently brought scanners capable of detecting dangerous fumes into the store, and found nothing. A search for materials related to methamphetamine was also conducted.

Monroe -- who was returning to the store to conduct more interviews shortly after 2 a.m. -- said there were no indications meth played any role in Wednesday night's events.

A man has been charged with leaving a backpack full of meth-related materials in a restroom of the southside Muncie Walmart on March 12.

Monroe said investigators hoped to review store surveillance videos in their search for answers about what had caused the odor in the northside store.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.