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Kellogg headquarters’ tower evacuated; suspected Freon leak

Fire officials said the leak originated from a pipe near a copier room; employees’ injuries did not appear to be serious

Associated Press

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Nearly two dozen workers at Kellogg Co.'s Battle Creek headquarters have been hospitalized as a precaution following a suspected Freon leak.

About 200 people were evacuated about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday from the building and 23 were taken to area hospitals for evaluation.

Fire officials say the leak originated from a pipe near a copier room on the fifth floor of the building’s north side. The leak was shut off and the building ventilated.

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The Battle Creek Enquirer reports that many of the employees hospitalized worked in a kitchen.

Fire Chief Dave Schmaltz tells the newspaper that the injuries did not appear to be serious.

Freon is a gas or liquid typically used as a refrigerant.

Kellogg is a food manufacturer and breakfast cereal giant based in southern Michigan’s Battle Creek.