(Buford, Ga., May 24, 2018) – Gwinnett County firefighters responded at 11:55 a.m. to a report of a possible hazmat incident at Dillard’s at the Mall of Georgia.  On arrival, crews were met by an employee who stated that a package was delivered to the store, and it was unknown where it came from or what the contents might be.  Firefighters evacuated the store’s main-level and called for the fire department’s Hazardous Materials Team and the police department’s Hazardous Devices Unit to respond.   

Additional information indicted that the package had been inside the store since yesterday and was located in the back at the giftwrap section.  The bag was labeled for a female employee of the store, who opened the package Wednesday afternoon and then set it aside.  The woman went about the rest of her workday before going home.  At some point late Wednesday evening, the woman became ill and was transported by ambulance to the hospital.  On Thursday, a coworker alerted the store manager and 9-1-1 was called.

Firefighters and police officers specially trained to identify and handle hazardous materials were able to enter the store and conduct tests on the contents of the package.  The items were determined to be commercially packaged products and were non-hazardous.  Based on the circumstances, the illness of the employee is not believed to be related to the situation involving the package. 

According to fire officials, two employees who were on the second floor this afternoon were evaluated at the scene by paramedics for a minor complaint that was believed to be unrelated to the incident.  Firefighters cleared the scene around 2 p.m., and the building was reoccupied.  The scene was turned over to Gwinnett County Police for further investigation.

The Fire-PIO is unable to identify the employee or provide specific medical information due to Federal Patient Privacy Laws known as HIPAA. 

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 1-Engine, 1-Hazmat Unit, 2-Squads, 2-Medic Units, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Battalion Chief, 1-District Commander, 1-Medic Supervisor, 2-Fire Investigators and 1-PIO