4:32 p.m. update:
Police say a woman has been charged with possession of cocaine and will appear in court on Friday.
2:40 p.m. update:
Police say a woman is in custody after this morning's chemical call led to a drug investigation. BarrieToday will add more to this story as it is available.
1:36 p.m. original story:
Barrie fire crews evacuated more than 20 people from the Quality Inn this morning for a strong chemical-like odour circulating the building.
At approximately 11 a.m., Barrie Fire and Emergency Services received a call about a noxious smell in the 55 Hart Dr. hotel.
Crews evacuated the building and began tests to determine the cause of the odour and if it was dangerous to anyone in the building.
Fire Chief Cory Mainprize said while it was first believed to be a chlorine spill, tests determined it was not.
“We are continuing to do some air monitoring on scene, but don’t feel that there is any health hazard at this time and we’re going to ventilate and start to allow people back in,” said Mainprize.
“It does not appear to be a chlorine issue," he added. "The smell was very similar to that, but at this point we actually believe it was either a pepper or bear spray.”
There was a city bus on scene for guests to sit in and keep warm while the investigation was ongoing, but as of noon, all people staying at the Quality Inn had been allowed back in their rooms.
The incident being isolated to one specific room.
Barrie Police are investigating.
