Fridge odor at University of Kentucky sends 10 to hospital

LEXINGTON, Ky., June 29 (UPI) -- Almost a dozen people at University of Kentucky were hospitalized after taking a whiff of something inside a fridge.

ABC news reported a hazardous material team deployed to the university to assist workers who complained of nausea and irritation in the eyes and on the skin after opening a refrigerator inside the Dimock Animal Pathology building.

Officials at the school say the refrigerator was unplugged and removed from the Gluck Equine Research Center and placed in the building. Movers didn't notice anything wrong with the appliance at the time.

University spokesman Carl Nathe said the stench originated from "chemical residue" that was left inside the fridge.

"It was tested and we couldn't 100 percent determine what the chemical was," Nathe said.

The building was evacuated for a few hours while the fridge was being sealed.

The victims were rushed and treated at Albert B. Chandler Hospital and released.

"It was one of those things where the actions were taken as a precaution and it was all to be on the safe side," Nathe said.