Bunnings customers rushed to hospital after being sprayed with ‘unknown substance’

A group of Bunnings customers were rushed to hospital after an unknown substance was allegedly sprayed in the store.

A group of Bunnings customers were rushed to hospital after an unknown substance was allegedly sprayed in the vicinity of customers and staff.

Two people entered the hardware store in Northam, in Western Australia, at about 2.30pm on Anzac Day before they allegedly sprayed an unknown substance in the vicinity of several customers and staff.

“Several people were affected with a burning sensation to their eyes, nose and throats and were treated in hospital as a precaution,” a WA Police Force spokesperson said.

“The store was evacuated by staff.”

Ten people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, including two teenage girls.

A group of Bunnings customers were rushed to hospital after two people sprayed an ‘unknown substance’ in a WA store. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

A spokesperson from St John Ambulance confirmed crews took seven women aged in their 20s to 50s, two teen girls and one man in his 20s to Northam Regional Hospital following the incident.

No one was seriously injured and the patients were transported under normal road conditions, with no lights or sirens.

WA Police said the incident was isolated and officers from Northam immediately commenced an investigation which resulted in two people being taken into custody, where they remain.

Bunnings’ general manager of store operations in the west, Jess Hitchin, confirmed the incident occurred at Bunnings’ Northam store.

“We take the safety of our team and customers incredibly seriously and we thank our team for the way they calmly managed the situation,” she said.

“As this is now a police matter, we’re unable to provide further comment.”

Anyone with any information relating to this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.