Five East Hampton firefighters were hospitalized Tuesday night after they were apparently exposed to chemicals while battling a blaze at business, according to The East Hampton Patch.
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All five firefighters were transported to Southampton Hospital and later released after being treated with oxygen and having their blood checked.
"They felt like they were burning -- like their skin was burning," Fire Chief Ray Harden told The Patch.
The cause of what sickened the firefighters is currently under investigation and East Hampton Village Fire Marshal Ken Cullum said the fumes they came in contact with could range from refrigerant to insulation.
One firefighter came out of Hampton Market Place saying he thought he was burned, while others were coughing.
The firefighters began to complain of a burning sensation in their noses and to their necks and hands.
"We said, 'What is going on? Let's get out of the building," Harden said, adding that he'd never before smelled anything like the smoke coming from the business. "You could almost taste it."
A hazmat team was called to the scene to spray down the firefighters' equipment and all gear worn to the fire was taken to the dry cleaners.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
