A broken canister of bug spray caused 19 people to be hospitalized during a hazmat situation at a Walmart in Deptford, in Gloucester County, New Jersey earlier this week, officials announced Thursday. Following an investigation into the situation, police said Thursday that the hazmat incident tha t happened at about 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at a Walmart store along Cooper Street in Deptford, New Jersey, was caused by a canister of Hot Shot Flying Insect Killer that fell from a store shelf. After falling from the shelf, officials said, the canister’s cap broke, leading to a discharge of the product that caused 19 people to be taken to nearby hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Following this discharge, the store was closed to customers and, officials said, the canister was recovered during an “overnight deep clean” of the property. Police said the investigation found there was no malicious intent behind the incident. However, officials said, anyone present at the store at the time this incident unfolded and experienced effects from the release of the bug spray, but did not receive a medical evaluation or medical transport, may want to follow up with their personal medical provider. Others who may have been present at the store on the date the incident occurred, but were not in the area of the incident, should not have to take any further action, officials said. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less