MIDLAND, Mich. -- Authorities said around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, an employee of the Salvation Army on Saginaw Road in Midland found a canister in the back room of the store.

Police said the employee pushed a button on the canister and a reddish-orange substance shot out of the cylinder.

Local hazmat teams responded to the scene and began cordoning off the area in preparation for an investigation.

Police have said they believe it could have been pepper spray. Fifteen people were affected by the substance and authorities have started decontamination.

Officers said showers were set up on scene, and two people were complaining of respiratory problems.

All fifteen people have been sent to the hospital to be further checked out.

Midland police said the situation has been contained.

Equipment is on its way from Bay City to analyze the substance and authorities believe the situation is most likely an accident than something malicious.

The Salvation Army store is located in a strip mall style area with a Walgreens, Hollywood Video and RadioShack.

Stay with WNEM.com and TV5 as this story develops.