Business evacuated in poison scare

NEWPORT BEACH -- The Hertz building on Campus Drive was in chaos for a

couple of hours Wednesday afternoon when employees cleaning out a

returned rental car discovered two canisters marked “poison” under the

back seat.

Authorities determined that the cans contained a cyanide acid used in

etching, said Battalion Chief Ron Sutherland of the Newport Fire and

Marine Department. No one was hurt and the acid could not have caused

harm unless ingested, he said.

People in the Hertz building were evacuated for safety purposes.

Police also diverted traffic from Campus Drive for a while.

The Orange County health department has examined the acid, and will

properly dispose of it, Sutherland said.