The Florida Sun-Sentinel

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla — Three city firefighters were taken to North Broward Medical Center this morning for evaluation after they began suffering from headaches and lightheadedness while investigating a fire alarm at a perfume company.

Two have since been released from the hospital, while the third is still under evaluation, said Deerfield Beach Fire Division Chief Gary Fernaays.

Other firefighters have determined this afternoon that the trio taken to the hospital likely were not exposed to any hazardous chemicals and instead likely were affected by the perfumes in the building in the 600 block of Fairway Drive, Fernaays said.

The building, located just east of Interstate-95 and a couple of blocks north of Hillsboro Blvd., is surrounded by other offices, most of which appeared closed or vacant this morning.

Firefighters were initially called to the building just before 10 a.m. to check on a fire alarm. The three firefighters who went inside began feeling sick as they exited the building.

Some officials early on speculated that the firefighters might have been exposed to cyanide, but other firefighters sent in to investigate found no traces of cyanide or any other hazardous chemical or gas, Fernaays said.

Broward Sheriff Fire-Rescue and Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue assisted with the investigation.

Copyright 2008, The Sun-Sentinel