Source of strange odor in S.F. Mission District remains a mystery

A strange odor prompted the evacuations of at least 120 people in San Francisco's Mission District on Wednesday morning as a fire department hazardous materials crew tried to locate the source of the foul smell. less A strange odor prompted the evacuations of at least 120 people in San Francisco's Mission District on Wednesday morning as a fire department hazardous materials crew tried to locate the source of the foul ... more Photo: Bill Hutchinson Photo: Bill Hutchinson Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Source of strange odor in S.F. Mission District remains a mystery 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A strange odor prompted the evacuations of at least 120 people from several buildings in San Francisco’s Mission District Wednesday morning, but a hazardous materials team was unable to find the source of the foul smell, authorities said.

The first reports of the odor came in around 9:50 a.m. from a caller in the 1500 block of Valencia Street between 26th and Cesar Chavez streets, a fire department official said. The hazardous materials crew was checking out a nearby Salvation Army facility as the possible source of the fumes.

Nearby homes and businesses were cleared out and at least one person was taken to the hospital for treatment, according to the fire department.

The scene was declared safe and the evacuation orders were lifted just after 12 p.m.

Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kwilliams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: SFkale