Call 911: What you need to know
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Three people died after being exposed to an unknown substance at a rural New Mexico home on May 20, and more than a dozen first responders also became ill, officials said.
New Mexico State Police said they were dispatched around 11 a.m. to assist the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office after what initially appeared to be a drug overdose at a residence in Mountain Aire, a town with a population of less than 1,000 people per hour outside of Albuquerque. The four people inside were found unresponsive, and three of them were pronounced dead, state police said.
While at the scene, 18 first responders began experiencing symptoms such as nausea and dizziness and were taken to the hospital along with the surviving residents. State police say everyone is in isolation and being tested. Two of the first responders were in critical condition.
“Please continue to keep everyone affected in your prayers. We know how devastating this is for our community, and it is in times like these that we must continue to support and care for each other,” Mountaineer Mayor Peter Nieto said in a social media post.
State police say the Albuquerque Fire Rescue Hazardous Materials Team is working to determine the cause of the symptoms and what substance is involved. Nieto said the carbon monoxide and natural gas were removed by a local power company.
“At this time, we do not know the exact cause. However, based on the information currently available, all signs point to drugs as a possible factor,” Nieto said on May 20.
New Mexico State Police said there is no active threat to the public and a secure perimeter has been established around the affected residence.
“At this time, investigators believe this substance can be transmitted by contact and do not believe it is airborne,” New Mexico State Police said in a statement.
Nieto said City Hall will be closed on May 21 to allow affected employees to rest and recover.
