Harmful fuels cause scare

The Costa Mesa Fire Department evacuated the Crystal Court section of South Coast Plaza on Sunday when harmful fumes spread throughout the center, authorities said.

The fumes originated from a room being sealed with an elastomeric paint, which is used to fill in cracks before installing floor tiles, the fire department said.

While the sealant coat was drying, the ventilation system — set up to carry the fumes from the room to the outdoors — sucked the gases into the air-conditioning system, spreading it throughout the court, Battalion Chief Scott Broussard said.

Shoppers experiencing physical pain from inhaling the fumes contacted the fire department sometime after noon, although the fumes had been present all morning, authorities said.

A few people reported a burning in their chest and dizziness, Broussard said.

“I walked in and experienced the same symptoms almost immediately,” Broussard said.

“That’s when we closed the mall down.”

Paramedics treated a number of people in front of the center, but no one needed to be transported to the hospital, Broussard said.

Sealant materials were cleared from the room and fans were placed near open doors to clear out any remaining fumes. Authorities located at least one unsealed can of paint thinner in the construction area.

The Crystal Court center reopened around 4:45 p.m., after the fire department did a walk-through of the facilities, Broussard said.

Fire authorities are working with the contractor and the mall so that this type of thing does not happen again, Broussard said.