When units responded to assist MPD for what was reported to be a suicide Monday afternoon, they could not imagine the call would evolve into a massive HazMat response that would end with 13 people hospitalized for observation.
Engine 20 and Ambulance 20 responded at 4:40 PM to assist on the scene of an apparent suicide in the 4300 block of 36th Street, Northwest. Firefighters found an obviously deceased male, but the means were unclear. While they were on the scene, police uncovered information that a dangerous substance might be in the two-story single family home. Police then summoned - through Special Operations - a hazardous materials response to investigate.
HazMat did discover the presence of a dangerous and potentially lethal substance in the home. Because of the on-going police investigation, the identity of the substance cannot be specified at this time. But officials were certain the community was never in any danger, and the substance was contained to the house. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine how the man died.
Because several Fire & EMS employees were initially exposed to the material, they were all transported for observation only. No other civilians were injured. A female civilian and a police officer were also transported for evaluation.
