Three people are dead, and 18 first responders were hospitalized after exposure to an unidentified substance during a hazmat incident at a home in Mountainair, New Mexico, on Wednesday. The incident began when first responders were called to a suspected drug overdose. “Be advised, looks like we have three patients at this time. Two of them may not be breathing,” one responder said in the initial 911 call. New Mexico State Police said four people at the home were found unresponsive, and three of them later died. Once on the scene, EMTs and firefighters began experiencing symptoms, including headaches, nausea, and vomiting.”I need all units, all the available med units. I have multiple exposed providers at this time,” a responder said. Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto told KOAT some of the deceased worked in town and were discovered after failing to show up for work.”The reason that they were found was because they didn’t show up to work. The boss called and they didn’t answer, so he ended up sending a couple other workers, and those are the ones that ended up finding them,” Nieto said. Authorities have ruled out carbon monoxide and natural gas poisoning but have yet to identify the substance.”We just don’t know what it is. Is it fentanyl? Is it some kind of other drug? Is it some kind of chemical? That’s the million-dollar question right now that we don’t have answers to,” Nieto said. The mayor noted that the house involved was not known as a problem property.”That house is not a problem house at all. That is nothing on our radar. That’s not one of our known drug houses by any means,” he said. First responders who were discharged from the hospital left behind personal belongings due to decontamination protocols, Nieto said.”They were released with nothing. They had to go and get clothes. They could not bring their eyeglasses. They couldn’t bring wedding rings. Everything was left at UNM under decontamination,” Nieto said.Two investigators remain in serious condition, according to state police. UNM Hospital reported decontaminating 23 patients exposed to the unknown substance, including the fourth occupant of the home and 18 first responders. The hospital said three patients are still receiving care, while the rest have been discharged.The mayor said there is an 80% chance Town Hall will be closed Thursday, as the tragedy has deeply affected the small community. The house involved is near Mountainair High School, but officials said there was no immediate threat to the public, and the school was not placed under shelter-in-place orders. Authorities emphasized that there is no current danger to the town. Emergency coverage is in place in Mountainair, with support from nearby agencies, including Torrance County.
Three people are dead, and 18 first responders were hospitalized after exposure to an unidentified substance during a hazmat incident at a home in Mountainair, New Mexico, on Wednesday.
The incident began when first responders were called to a suspected drug overdose.
“Be advised, looks like we have three patients at this time. Two of them may not be breathing,” one responder said in the initial 911 call.
New Mexico State Police said four people at the home were found unresponsive, and three of them later died.
Once on the scene, EMTs and firefighters began experiencing symptoms, including headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
“I need all units, all the available med units. I have multiple exposed providers at this time,” a responder said.
Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto told KOAT some of the deceased worked in town and were discovered after failing to show up for work.
“The reason that they were found was because they didn’t show up to work. The boss called and they didn’t answer, so he ended up sending a couple other workers, and those are the ones that ended up finding them,” Nieto said.
Authorities have ruled out carbon monoxide and natural gas poisoning but have yet to identify the substance.
“We just don’t know what it is. Is it fentanyl? Is it some kind of other drug? Is it some kind of chemical? That’s the million-dollar question right now that we don’t have answers to,” Nieto said.
The mayor noted that the house involved was not known as a problem property.
“That house is not a problem house at all. That is nothing on our radar. That’s not one of our known drug houses by any means,” he said.
First responders who were discharged from the hospital left behind personal belongings due to decontamination protocols, Nieto said.
“They were released with nothing. They had to go and get clothes. They could not bring their eyeglasses. They couldn’t bring wedding rings. Everything was left at UNM under decontamination,” Nieto said.
Two investigators remain in serious condition, according to state police. UNM Hospital reported decontaminating 23 patients exposed to the unknown substance, including the fourth occupant of the home and 18 first responders. The hospital said three patients are still receiving care, while the rest have been discharged.
The mayor said there is an 80% chance Town Hall will be closed Thursday, as the tragedy has deeply affected the small community.
The house involved is near Mountainair High School, but officials said there was no immediate threat to the public, and the school was not placed under shelter-in-place orders.
Authorities emphasized that there is no current danger to the town.
Emergency coverage is in place in Mountainair, with support from nearby agencies, including Torrance County.
