Fire Department

One person was taken to the hospital after reportedly being overcome by chemical fumes while fulfilling custodial duties in a community clubhouse at Highland Manor (10 Malibu Drive).

Ladder Company 6, Medic 6, and the Madison Fire Department’s Hazardous Incident Team (HIT) were dispatched to Malibu Drive to investigate the noxious odor that caused the custodian to grow weak and fall to the ground in one of the bathrooms. One person likened the odor to a mixture of chlorine and ammonia, though the patient stated he was not using both of these chemicals at the time. With the help of a co-worker, the man was able to crawl out of the room and walk to a vehicle where he awaited EMS.

The co-worker opened up doors to allow fresh air into the restrooms, and Ladder Company 6 took over ventilation upon their arrival just after 8:30 a.m. The MFD HIT entered the building at 9:23 a.m. Crews temporarily ceased ventilation and closed doors to try to capture an air sample that might help them identify which chemicals were present. Air monitoring, pH testing, and Area Rae testing turned up no definitive diagnosis. Faucets were then turned on and run through the sink drains to see if any chemicals may be agitated and drawn into the air. There was still no change on the HIT's monitors.

With the building thoroughly ventilated and no indications of remaining chemical hazards, crews cleared the building just before 10:00 a.m. Property managers were advised to review any security camera footage for other clues that might shed light on what led to this incident.