AUBURN — Seven people were taken to a Lewiston hospital Thursday afternoon when they fell ill while working at medical offices at Second Street Family Practice at 60 Second St.

Fire officials said the workers began feeling lightheaded and nauseous at about 2 p.m., prompting St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center to close the business while the source of the problem was investigated.

The seven were taken to St. Mary’s in Lewiston where they were examined and later released. None of their ailments was life-threatening, fire officials said.

At 60 Second St., fire investigators tested the air inside the building and examined a number of systems in an attempt to identify the source of the problem. Later Thursday night, fire officials said they had found no high levels of any pollutants while inspect heating systems and sewer lines.

Officials from St. Mary’s brought in a monitor to test the air quality overnight, a fire official said. The results of those tests will be examined Friday before a decision is made on whether to open the offices.

Fire officials suspect an outside irritant may have been drawn into the building, causing the workers to feel sick.

Seven people were taken to the hospital Thursday afternoon to be evaluated after becoming ill while working at 60 Second St. in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

Seven people were taken to the hospital Thursday afternoon to be evaluated after becoming ill while working at 60 Second St. in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)