Cause is unknown

ROME TOWNSHIP — Lawrence County EMS were called to a residence on Sunday evening where residents were experiencing burning to the skin and throat, accompanied by a rash. The EMS crew began experiencing the symptoms themselves upon response, leading to a quarantine and decontamination, though officially no cause is yet known.

County Road 107 in Rome Township was closed in the area while crews responded. According to Bill Elliott, with the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency, two EMS crews and personnel with the Rome Fire Department began experiencing the symptoms, and were taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital along with the residents. Huntington fire chief Jan Rader met them there for decontamination and evaluation.

Crews from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and the Proctorville Fire Department also responded, and helped secure the area, while the Coal Grove Fire Department responded with the Lawrence County hazmat trailer, for investigation of the residence.

According to Elliott there was “no confirmation of what caused any of the… symptoms.”

“There is a very good chance that it will never be known,” he said, although there was some indication that a mixture of household cleaning supplies was to blame.

Elliott said that three people were decontaminate on scene and released, and that all fire and EMS personnel have been evaluated and released.

He wished to thank all involved for their response, including the Huntington Fire Department for the use of gas meters in the investigation.