Geneva hospital building evacuated

A medical office building at Delnor Hospital in Geneva was evacuated Tuesday after a "minor" hazardous materials spill, firefighters said.

No injuries were reported in the incident, which happened around 12:19 p.m. at 351 Delnor Drive, when a nurse practitioner bumped into a container of formaldehyde, spilling about 2 ounces, hospital and fire officials said.

"Following the correct procedure, she left the room, put a towel under the door, evacuated the office and called the fire department," Deputy Fire Chief Jerry Koster said.

Hospital spokesman Brian Griffin said about 100 people were evacuated from 16 medical offices in the building.

Koster said people were allowed back in about two hours later, after a hazardous materials team cleaned up and investigated.

"It was a relatively minor spill," Koster said. "But until we get it assessed and know what we're dealing with, we err to the side of safety."