An incident at the Westin Los Angeles Airport hotel triggered a hazardous materials investigation on Thursday morning when a housekeeper was sickened upon entering an unoccupied room. According to a release from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the event occurred at approximately 8:58 AM at the hotel located at 5400 W Century Bl.
The female housekeeper, who was not immediately identified, reported to have felt "suddenly ill" upon encountering an odor and discovering a 16oz water bottle alongside a bathtub filled with an unknown brown liquid. A male security guard, summoned to assist, similarly became nauseous after he briefly entered the room to quickly investigate the situation. In a statement obtained by KTLA, LAFD officials reported that both employees were evaluated on the scene by paramedics and remained there following the incident. The nature of the liquid and its origins were not immediately clear.
Further details provided by the LAFD through an update clarified that the hazardous materials experts had been conducting a routine investigation to ensure the safety of the premises and ascertain the nature of the substance. Operations at the hotel were not reported to be adversely affected, and the incident presented no escalating or off-site hazard to the surrounding community.
By 11:00 AM, LAFD responders, including hazardous materials experts, concluded their investigation, categorizing the substance as an unspecified chemical irritant. Officials from the Los Angeles County Health HazMat are to work with the hotel staff to ensure that the guest room is returned to a safe and habitable state, reported LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey. No further injuries or illnesses were connected to the incident.
