By 11:35 a.m., he reported that the eight had been taken to an area hospital."/>


By 11:35 a.m., he reported that the eight had been taken to an area hospital."/>


By 11:35 a.m., he reported that the eight had been taken to an area hospital." />
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Hundreds evacuated at All Souls Church

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Evacuated crowds outside and numerous emergency workers at site when many at an All Souls Church homeless veteran's luncheon experienced respiratory problems.

Two hundred people were inside All Souls Church on N. Cleveland Ave. in North Fort Myers on Wednesday, March 10, when rescue workers were summoned because many experienced respiratory problems.

“The call came in at 11:06 a.m.,” said North Fort Myers Fire Chief Terry Pie. “Several people were having respiratory problems, and we are looking at eight right now.”

By 11:35 a.m., he reported that the eight had been taken to an area hospital.

Sara Cacciolfi is from Lee County Homeless Veterans, and organizes the lunch each week. “Many in line were sneezing and coughing and their eyes were watering, like they inhaled pepper,” she said. “We got everyone outside.”

Not all of the 200 were affected – but she said some had those symptoms right away, and then more felt them.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office will release more information as it is available.