Officers at Hamilton County jail injured by pepper spray

An accident with a suspicious object that turned out to contain pepper spray injured two security officers at the Hamilton County Jail.

A Chattanooga Fire Department spokesman said there were some tense moments about noon Friday when officers discovered what they thought was an explosive device and the bomb squad was called.

One of the deputies got the spray in his eyes as he attempted to pick it up. Another deputy who transported the injured officer to Erlanger hospital also suffered less severe symptoms.

Chattanooga Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Dixon said employees on two levels of the building were evacuated. He said prisoners at the jail were never in any danger.

Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Max Templeton said the spray discharge appeared to be accidental.