Sep. 26--Photo equipment at a Rock Hill CVS malfunctioned Friday, causing vapors that closed the store for several hours while more than two dozen fire officials investigated.

Three fire engines, an ambulance and a hazardous materials response unit worked the incident at CVS on Cherry Road in Rock Hill. They responded to the call around 7:30 a.m. about vapors coming from the photo developer, Rock Hill Fire Batallion Chief Steve Rogers said.

Investigators determined the vapors were not hazardous.

"But they could have been," Rogers said. "We followed procedure and took precautionary measures."

Rogers said one of the photo machines produced the "very small vapors" that stayed mostly within the store's photo department. He wasn't sure if the machine was in use when it malfunctioned or when it last had been used.

The vapors weren't visible from outside the store, he said.

After cutting off power to the machine and ventilating the area, fire officials used equipment to monitor the air inside for hazardous materials. A Kodak representative also arrived on scene to explain to investigators the contents and mechanics of the malfunctioning equipment.

"We didn't know exactly what we were dealing with," Rogers said, "so that helped a lot."

No one was hurt in the incident, and the store reopened by Friday afternoon.

CVS employees would not comment and referred The Herald to corporate offices. Calls to corporate were not returned.

Christy Mullins -- 803-329-4062

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