2 Medics, 1 Deputy Hospitalized In Forest Hill Hazmat: Officials

FOREST HILL, MD — Three first responders were hospitalized after encountering a chemical smell at a home in Forest Hill Tuesday night where a man had gone into cardiac arrest, officials said. Two paramedics and one deputy experienced a reaction upon entering the residence, which was assessed by Harford County hazmat personnel. A man inside the home died, officials said.

Authorities reported Wednesday the chemical odor came from a high concentration of moisture-absorbing material in the home.

While investigators are still assessing the cause of the man's death, foul play is not suspected, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office

Authorities responded to the 2600 block of Chestnut Hill Road around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday for a man in cardiac arrest, according to Jenn Chenworth, spokesperson for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.

Crews from Bel Air and Darlington fire companies, Harford County EMS and the Harford County Sheriff's Office were among those who came to assist. Law enforcement officers are called to cardiac arrest cases because they are trained first responders, are often on patrol and have defibrillators in their vehicles, Chenworth said.

The call was classified as an unattended death by the Harford County Sheriff's Office, since the man could not be revived.

The deputy who went into the home was "bothered by some sort of chemical odor," according to Kyle Andersen, spokesperson for the Harford County Sheriff's Office. The deputy left the residence and was taken as a precaution to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center as a precaution, Andersen said. He was later released.

Two EMS providers were hospitalized for further evaluation with an illness that was not believed to be life-threatening, Chenworth said. The hazmat team and firefighters remained at the scene.

"They still have an active investigation," Chenworth told Patch before 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Before the source of the odor was determined, she said those in the area were not in any danger.

"It’s safe," Chenworth said. "There’s no threat to the community."