Insecticide sickens residents in Bensenville apartments

Six people became sick and had to be evacuated from their Bensenville apartment building Monday after an insecticide fogger was used inside the building.

Four firefighters who responded to the scene also fell ill.

Bensenville Fire Protection District Chief Michael Spain said emergency crews were called about 12:45 p.m. to the building on the 100 block of Bridget Court.

He said an insecticide fogger was used in the hallways of the three-story, six-unit building and some residents were overcome by the fumes.

Spain said the landlord told tenants that an extermination was planned for Monday. A sign on the main door of the building — written in both English and Spanish — warned people not to enter until after 6 p.m., but some stayed in their apartments anyway.

Those who became ill were taken to an area hospital and are expected to recover. Spain said all the firefighters returned to work by Monday afternoon.

The building was being cleaned on Monday afternoon. Spain said residents were expected to return to their apartments by evening.