An activated can of bear spray led to the evacuation of the NorthMart store in Iqaluit Tuesday night.

Staff and shoppers began smelling a strong chemical odour around 6 p.m. local time, and some people started coughing.

The Iqaluit Fire Department was called, and staff evacuated the store of about 60 people.

Two fire trucks and about 20 firefighters responded.

Lt. Chris Wilson said they put on their safety equipment "and we basically began to investigate,” he said.

“We also ventilated the building. And my crews found a can of pepper spray that we feel was activated. We have no idea if it was accidental or intentional. But that's now what we suspect was the issue ... some sort of bear spray."

By about 7 p.m., store managers were allowed back in and firefighters were already preparing to leave.

Wilson said the bear spray that was activated was not being sold — it was not on one of the store shelves or in the stockroom.

Andrew Cox, vice-president of the Iqaluit Minor Hockey Association, said Wednesday morning the bear spray was set off within the lottery booth run by the association.

Cox said he heard more details about the incident this morning, and is still trying to figure out exactly what happened.

"The altercation was within the lotto booth," he said. "Either accidentally someone had bear spray and set it off or one of the staff set it off... And I'm looking for more information and to resolve the issue."

Cox said he wants to make it clear the bear spary was not being kept near the NorthMart check-out and that the store is not in the habit of keeping bear spray on hand.

He said the Hockey Association receives the use of the lotto booth space for free from NorthMart to raise money for league play and travel. Staff who work in the booth are not NorthMart employees.