After a Freon gas leak in the kitchen area of Kellogg Company headquarters in downtown, 23 people who were exposed were sent to local hospitals.
LifeCare Ambulance and Battle Creek Transit transported 18 people to Bronson Battle Creek and five people to Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall. Some experienced difficulty breathing and were to be checked out by medical staff.
The Battle Creek Fire Department responded at approximately 10:40 a.m. and evacuated the north side of the building. It was unknown how many people were evacuated.
Battle Creek Police are assisting downtown with traffic control and, at this time, McCamly Street is closed between Jackson Street and Hamblin Avenue.
The Calhoun County Public Health Department has been notified, and will evaluate the building's cooking facilities.
Fire officials believed the building would be safe again early this afternoon.