The America’s Thrift Store in Gardendale was evacuated briefly on Thursday afternoon after a canister of pepper spray, packed inside some donations, was activated and released the spray into the store. 

Lt. Scott Banks with Gardendale Police Department said the pepper spray canister was inside a bag with clothing and other donations and was accidentally released into the sorting area. 

Some thrift store employees were checked out by Regional Paramedical Services out of an abundance of caution, Banks said, but everyone is expected to be fine. 

Banks also urged anyone donating items to the thrift store or other charity to think about the employees and their safety before dropping potentially hazardous items into the donation bins. 

The thrift store reopened after a short time.