Kingston hotel evacuated due to pepper spray

Kingston Fire & Rescue (KFR) responded to a report of a hazardous material leak at the Comfort Inn on Warne Cresent at approximately 2:17 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021.

According to KFR, when fire crews arrived Kingston Police were present at the scene and the building was in the process of being evacuated. After speaking with police, fire crews were notified that the unknown substance was pepper spray, KFR said.

Kingston Police reported that an altercation took place at a room the Comfort Inn, where three individuals, a male and two females, were using drugs. One of the women kicked the male out of the hotel room, and Kingston Police said that when he tried to retrieve his belongings he threw a rock through the window of the hotel room. According to police, the male sprayed pepper spray in the room, then fled. The women were reportedly uncooperative with Kingston Police.

Police located the male at a restaurant, and while he was also uncooperative regarding the altercation, police said he paid the hotel for the cost of the damage to the broken window.

The building was ventilated and KFR reported that one staff member was transported to hospital.

According to police, no charges were laid.