Updated: Friendly’s Reopened, No Cause For Evacuation Found

on Greenmanville Avenue in Mystic opened it's doors for business less than two hours after evacuating the restaurant Saturday afternoon after people reported the air started to burn their throats.

"Everyone started coughing," said Mary Draper of Groton, who had only just found a seat in the restaurant when she was told by restaurant staff to evacuate. Draper said she felt a slight tickling her throat by the time she was outside the building.

John Laprade, of Lakesville, Mass., was at Friendly's with family and said he had only two bites of his bacon double cheeseburger when "suddenly the air got really heavy and everyone started coughing," and they were told to evacuate the building. 

, and responded to the incident at about 1:50 p.m., Saturday. No was taken to the hospital, but those inside the restaurant reported their throats began to burn and they started coughing.

Old Mystic Fire Chief Ken Richards said people reported running eyes, itchy throats and coughing.

"That's right down the alley of pepper spray," he said of a possible cause.

The Submarine Base Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Unit was called because they have "one of the only meters in the area that can pick up just about anything," Richards said.

"They've been through the building, all the readings are normal," Richards said. "No irritants, no freon, nothing. Right now we haven't got a clue."

Richards said the manager reported a suspicious dryer sheet found on the floor, which could have been a vehicle for pepper spray or noxious chemical. But it was tested and determined harmless.

Customers and staff were checked out by the Mystic River Ambulance Service but no one needed immediate treatment, according to Richards.

Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Paramedics were called to the scene but did not transport anyone.

Friendly's re-opened it's doors around 3:30 p.m. and staff members returned to work. The Stonington Police are investigating the incident.