20 people treated after insecticide bomb discharges inside Publix store in Palm Bay
PALM BAY, Fla. – A Publix in Palm Bay was evacuated and 20 people were treated after a “bug bomb” activated when it was dropped inside the supermarket, fire officials said.
The strange incident happened Monday morning at the Publix on Babcock Street near Palm Bay Road.
Palm Bay Fire Rescue said the store was evacuated due to a chemical smell inside the building.
Twenty people were treated for respiratory issues while crews searched for the cause of the smell, which turned out to be a “‘bug bomb” that activated when it hit the floor after being dropped, officials said.
All 20 victims were treated and released, according to fire officials. No one was taken to the hospital.
The building was ventilated, and the store was scheduled to reopen, officials said.