Mystery smell prompts partial evacuation at downtown L.A. jail, 1 employee hospitalized

One employee was transported to a local hospital Thursday after an unidentified smell prompted a partial evacuation of the Inmate Reception Center in downtown Los Angeles for several hours, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

By early evening, authorities deemed the building safe for normal use after determining the source of the smell was a bottle of acetone left behind by painters.

The odor was first detected at about 2:30 p.m., and officials said at the time that it did not impact any areas that house or hold inmates;

“It’s not affecting the secure side of the building,” Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida told The Times. “We have had no complaints of any inmates being affected.”

By 4 p.m., she said, fire officials were still on scene investigating the source of the odor.

Initially, officials said two employees were hospitalized, but later revised that figure to one.

“It smelled like a very strong nail polish or paint smell,” one staffer told The Times while coughing repeatedly. “We knew it wasn’t nail polish or paint, but it was similar to that.”

Over roughly 15 minutes, the smell quickly spread and grew stronger until officials decided to send workers home and evacuate, according to the employee, who asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on the record.

“My throat’s burning,” the staffer continued. “My voice is a little froggy now, and normally isn’t.”

Just before 6 p.m., the Sheriff’s Department said the building had been cleared, but that “the investigation into who was using the chemical is ongoing.”