Five hospitalized after bug bombs set off at Elgin apartment complex

Five people were sent to an area hospital Thursday night after an employee of an apartment complex ignited three aerosol bug bombs without clearing the apartment complex of tenants.

Elgin Fire Captain Dick Cummings said they were dispatched to the apartment complex at 1400 Larkin Avenue at about 10 p.m. with complaints that some residents inside the complex were having trouble breathing.

Upon arrival, Cummings said the building had been aired out and some people were standing in the parking lot waiting for rescue.

He said, during an inspection by fire officials, the apartment complex manager said a maintenance worker had opened the aerosol bug cans and released poisons in the air to wipe out any bugs the building might have.

He said it remains unclear whether the aerosol spray made its way into the ventilation system and into the entire facility, or whether people walking in the hallways were exposed to the bug spray.

One can was opened inside a vacant apartment, Cummings said, while two others were opened inside the stairwell in the building.

He said five people were taken from the complex to Provena St. Joseph's Hospital in Elgin with nonlife threatening injuries, while others were treated at the scene and refused hospital treatment.

The incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed against the management company, Cummings said.