Stink from office refrigerator leaves 28 ill

San Francisco, May 14 (DPA) Someone's forgotten lunch did more than just cause an unsightly, smelly mess in one office refrigerator.

The smell of rotten food during a clean-out in an office kitchen in California was so strong it caused the evacuation of a building, sickened 28 people and prompted a call to the local hazardous material unit, the San Jose Mercury News reported Wednesday.

An office worker cleaning out the refrigerator at an AT&T office Tuesday couldn't smell the food because she had had nasal surgery for allergies, Fire Department Captain Barry Stallard told the newspaper.

The stink got even worse when combined with the cleaning chemical she was using and another cleaner sprayed by a co-worker to get rid of the smell.

Workers first thought there was some kind of mysterious toxic leak making people sick, but the woman cleaning the fridge cleared the air when the fire department arrived.

The 28 ill workers were checked by paramedics and seven were treated at area hospitals.