A can of bear spray broke in Sports Experts on the afternoon of May 2, prompting an evacuation from the downtown sporting goods store, the offices housed above the store and Arts Underground, below. The art gallery remained closed the following day as well due to the incident. The can was dropped by someone in the store, and then punctured, which led to some of the bear spray spilling out of the can, according to city spokesperson Matthew Cameron. The News observed people in the building coughing as the air was unpleasant to breathe. Some people fled the building covering their noses and mouths. Whitehorse Fire Department arrived and opened the doors of Sports Experts to allow for ventilation. Passerby on Main Street were directed to walk around the doors at a distance as the fumes wafted out. No one was injured, according to Cameron. Firefighters also assisted with cleanup of the spilled bear spray, said Cameron. Contact Talar Stockton at talar.stockton@yukon-news.com
Spilled bear spray prompts evacuation at Sports Experts in Whitehorse
