12 people at Palo Alto hotel sickened by irritating odor

PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) -- An irritating odor from an underground parking garage at the Westin Hotel Palo Alto sickened 12 people Thursday night.

Palo Alto Fire Chief Eric Nickel says he received a report at 9:09 p.m. about a possible hazmat situation at 675 El Camino Real. Nickel said eight people were exposed.

Eight people were decontaminated and transported to Stanford Hospital. Four additional patients were also transported to the hospital.

Hazmat crews entered the hotel and tried to determine the cause the of odor, but could find the exact cause.

All of the patients were taken to the hospital while they were conscious and breathing.

The hotel told their guests shelter in place until the incident was clear. The HVAC system was shut off while the investigation was underway.