LOCAL : 23 Treated in Freon Fumes Leak

Twenty-three people suffered minor injuries today when freon fumes leaked inside a North Hollywood medical laboratory, forcing the evacuation of 200 people, authorities said.

Seven people were taken to two area hospitals, where they were treated for various inhalation injuries, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Greg Acevedo. Sixteen others were treated at the scene, Acevedo said.

More than 25 firefighters and a hazardous materials team were called to the Kaiser Permanente medical laboratory in the 10000 block of Magnolia Boulevard about 10:20 a.m. after employees reported freon leaking from the building’s air-conditioning unit, Acevedo said.