WASHINGTON — A full shift of firefighters fell ill with symptoms of chemical exposure after working a fire earlier in the day, according to D.C. Fire and EMS.
Around 9 p.m. Wednesday, all eight firefighters from the station at 1342 Florida Ave. NE had to be relieved by other fire crews. Those who fell ill complained of respiratory problems, vomiting, dizziness and burning eyes.
They were taken to a clinic for observation and D.C. Fire and EMS declared it a hazmat incident.
The firefighters became ill after fighting an apartment fire at about 11 a.m. Wednesday in the 3700 block of Hayes St. NE, according to officials. They did not begin showing symptoms until evening. Sources told 9News Now the firefighters may have been affected to a home drug lab while fighting the fire Wednesday morning.