Walmart in Lower Nazareth evacuated after people fall ill

On Sunday at 4:30 p.m., fire departments from Bethlehem Township, Hecktown and Hanover Township were on site. (Andreas Pelekis/The Morning Call)

A Walmart in Northampton County was evacuated Sunday afternoon after the smell of an animal repellent caused several people to feel sick, officials said.

The incident occurred around 3 p.m. at the store on Easton-Nazareth Highway in Lower Nazareth Township.

Keith Kulp, a sergeant with the Colonial Regional Police, said an animal repellent was returned by someone in the store’s customer service department and the container was likely opened accidentally.

“This did not appear to be a criminal act,” Kulp said.

Several ambulances took nine people who had become ill from the smell to nearby hospitals.

Store employees declined to comment. The store was still closed on Sunday evening.

The incident occurred just hours after the Walmart in Whitehall Township was evacuated due to a possible gas leak. Further details about the incident were not available.