Firefighters, EMTs sickened inside abandoned building

BOSTON -- Seven city employees investigating possible illegal dumping at an abandoned Boston warehouse have been treated for nausea and rashes after encountering an unknown, foul odor.

Boston fire department spokesman Steve MacDonald says four firefighters, two EMTS and a city building inspector were overcome Tuesday after entering the building in South Boston. They were decontaminated at the scene by a hazardous materials crew and did not require hospitalization.

He said environmental tests on the site have come back negative.

Investigators described the unknown odor as smelling like "dead animals."

MacDonald says officials went into the building following a complaint from a neighbor. He says the two-story building was "full of junk" and had an abandoned pick-up truck.

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