Carmel offices evacuated because of strange odor, 14 hospitalized for feeling sick

The building at 10401 N Meridian was evacuated just before 11 a.m. after several employees reported a strange smell, according to the Carmel Fire Department.

The odor was first reported in a large conference room with about 40 people. Firefighters evacuated the entire building and brought in a Hazmat team to try to determine the cause of the smell.

Fire officials say 13 people were taken to the hospital to be checked out, three others were treated and released on the scene.

All of the victims reported flu-like symptoms but are expected to be okay.

It is unclear at this time where the odor originated from and if it was the cause of the illness.

Everyone was allowed to re-enter the building just before 1 p.m.