SALT LAKE CITY — Residents who were evacuated from their downtown apartment building while hazardous materials crews investigated an odor on the fourth floor were allowed to return about 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
Officials said the source of the odor was identified as rubbing alcohol that it appears one man was spraying inside his apartment.
Police received a 911 call about a mysterious odor at the apartment at 135 S. 300 East. Firefighters could smell the strong odor when they arrived about 6:30 p.m. and quickly evacuated all 40 units. The occupant of the apartment from where the smell originated was not at home and couldn't be reached.
Crews discovered 10 bottles of rubbing alcohol upon entering the apartment, which they removed before airing out the apartment building. The odor had reached "potentially dangerous" levels, Salt Lake City Fire Capt. Wade Rockwood said.
Some residents expressed fear the odor was coming from a methamphetamine lab, but Salt Lake City Fire spokesman Scott Freitag said that was unlikely.
"We're not quite sure what exactly he was doing," Freitag said. "Police will follow up with the man."
— Lana Groves