The scene of the freon leak on Tuesday afternoon.
SIMPSON BAY--The St. Maarten Police Force KPSM, the St. Maarten Fire Department and the Ambulance Department were called out to Sale and Pepe Restaurant in Simpson Bay on Tuesday afternoon because of a freon leak in the building.
Authorities initially thought there was a cooking gas leak. However, shortly after arriving on the scene emergency responders determined that there was a freon leak coming from the building’s air-conditioning units.
Authorities cordoned off the area and evacuated the building and the Texaco gas station next door while investigating the incident.
One woman suffered from a fit of coughing and was treated on the scene by members of the Ambulance Department. She was later transferred to St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for further medical attention.
According to website Medical News Today, symptoms of mild to moderate freon poisoning may include headache; irritation of the eyes, ears, and throat; dizziness; frostbite (if exposed to quickly expanding gas or liquid coolant); vomiting; chemical burn on the skin; nausea; and/or coughing. Severe poisoning can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness, and death.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, said police on Tuesday afternoon.
