Odor sickens workers in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Firefighters believe a load of trash is the source of an odor that sickened workers at a transfer station in Norfolk.

Norfolk Fire-Rescue Capt. Mike Hicks tells media outlets that the Southeastern Public Service Authority's transfer station was evacuated. Workers reported that the odor caused eye and throat irritation and made some people gag.

Hicks says hazardous materials experts found flammable gas in the air. He says the gas could have been methane from decomposing trash.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will determine where the trash should be moved.