COLUMBUS— After employees reported a possible Freon leak, the Walmart Supercenter in Columbus was temporarily closed on Friday.
According to a news release from the Columbus Police Department, the Columbus Fire Department was called to the Walmart Supercenter on Whitfield Drive after four employees reported being exposed to a Freon gas leak.
Freon is a dangerous gas that can cause health problems if inhaled. The reported leak was in the storeroom’s refrigerator/freezer, which is inaccessible to the public.
Firefighters and first responders assessed the four employees, who were taken to a local hospital out of precaution. Officials said in the release that the four employees did not “present with any apparent life threats.” They were released after a medical evaluation.
Firefighters inspected the area where the leak was reported and “found no evidence of an active Freon leak.” A review of the system’s alarms and monitoring devices also indicated that the system was operating normally.
The store was closed until a full inspection of the store’s refrigerant system could take place.
The store was reopened later that day.
