Wal-Mart: Pepper spray, not rotting fruit, forced evacuation

A Wal-Mart spokeswoman says a can of pepper spray is the suspected culprit for the evacuation of an Alabama store.

The store was evacuated Sunday in Millbrook, 10 miles north of Montgomery, after customers complained of irritated eyes and breathing problems. WSFA-TV reported (http://bit.ly/2bRuFw3) that authorities initially blamed a piece of rotting produce for the problems.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Leslee Wright said Monday that employees later found an empty can of pepper spray under a merchandise display and suspect that caused customers' reactions.

Wright credited store managers for taking the situation seriously and says the company is thankful no one was seriously hurt.