Building evacuation in downtown Omaha

OMAHA, Neb.

The First National Bank building downtown had to be evacuated after fumes spread throughout the building Thursday morning. 

According to a First National spokesperson, around 9 a.m., a number of patients began having respiratory issues during routine maintenance to the building’s air conditioning, 25 people were hospitalized and in total, 62 people were assessed on the scene. The victims had issues ranging from coughing to shortness of breath.

Sixteen of those patients were sent to Nebraska Medicine, none were in critical condition and all were stable. As of a 2:30 p.m. press conference, some had already been released. 

Around 2,000 people work in the building and all 40 floors were evacuated. Initially, only about half of the building was evacuated. 

Employees are allowed back in the building and business will proceed as usual Friday morning.