Near North Side post office evacuated due to A/C problem

A Near North Side post office branch was evacuated Saturday morning after employees became sick from heat.

A problem with the air conditioning system at the Fort Dearborn branch, 550 W. Dearborn St., sent more than a dozen employees to the hospital for heat-related issues, post office spokesman Mark Reynolds said.

The Chicago Fire Department was called at 7:42 a.m. about a person with shortness of breath and found more people at the post office complaining of feeling sick, according to Chicago Fire Media Affairs.

Heat-related illness sent 13 adults to area hospitals where their conditions stabilized, according to Chicago Fire Media Affairs. An additional 22 people were treated on the scene and released.

The building was evacuated and the retail facility for the post office was closed for the day, Reynolds said. Due to the evacuation, mail is unlikely to be delivered to the 60610, 60611 and 60654 area codes Saturday.

Customers should use the main post office branch at Harrison and Canal streets.