Complaints of illness prompt evacuation of El Dorado County Social Security office

A Placerville-area Social Security office was evacuated Thursday afternoon after people inside reported experiencing breathing difficulties and dizziness.

Lt. Jim Byers of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said a hazardous materials investigation is under way to determine the cause of the physical complaints. He said about 15 people were in the building at 3916 Missouri Flat Road about 3:30 p.m., and 10 or 11 experienced the effects. He said one person was taken to the hospital by ambulance and the others were seeking medical attention on their own.

As of 5 p.m., Byers said El Dorado County and Diamond Springs fire department personnel, along with members of the Sheriff’s Office’s hazardous materials team, were still on scene.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 5:22 PM.