SAN DIEGO -- More than two dozen people were forced to evacuate a Mission Valley office building Friday after complaints of a strange smell.

Emergency crews checked out 27 employees after many of them complained about a gas-like odor at work.

"It was just nausea and bad headaches. The nose was kinda burning inside ... burning from the smell," said Silvia Sandoval, who works inside the Aerofund Financial building in Mission Valley.

Sandoval told 10News employees were forced to leave the building around 9 a.m., and authorities said the second and third floors were evacuated.

Three people were taken to the hospital, according to authorities.

"A couple of them went to the hospital because they had trouble breathing," said Antonietta McGurik.

McGurik passed out water bottles to her employees while they waited for the hazardous materials team to identify the smell.

McGurik said she called San Diego Gas & Electric Friday morning after her staff told her about the chemical-like smell.

While she said she did not smell anything, she told 10News one employee broke out in hives.

Firefighters said the building has no gas service, and the hazmat team ruled out any toxic gases.

The cause of the smell has not been released, but firefighters said it may be related to glue from new furniture inside the building.

Employees were able to return to work just before 1 p.m.