(AP) — A cloud of smoke from two pounds of methamphetamine seized by the FBI and incinerated inside a Montana animal shelter sent its workers to the hospital, city officials in Billings said.
Fourteen workers from the nonprofit Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter evacuated and went to the hospital.
The shelter shares space with Billings’ animal control division.
A city animal control supervisor who was present for Wednesday’s burn declined to go the hospital, Iffland said.
Shelter workers were tested for potential exposure, and Iffland said he did not know the results.
Billings, Mont. (AP) — According to Billings city officials, a cloud of smoke from two pounds of methamphetamine that the FBI had seized and burned inside a Montana animal shelter sent its employees to the hospital.
On Wednesday, during a drug burn, the smoke began to fill the building, presumably due to negative pressure that sucked it back inside, Assistant City Administrator Kevin Iffland of Billings said on Friday. In these circumstances, a fan was meant to be available to reverse the pressure and allow smoke to exit the building, but Iffland claimed that it wasn’t easily accessible.
The city’s animal control division collects or euthanizes animal carcasses, which are then burned in the incinerator. However, seized drugs are burned by FBI agents or local law enforcement every few months, according to Iffland.
Fourteen employees of the nonprofit Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter were taken to the hospital and evacuated. Iffland and shelter director Triniti Halverson stated that the 75 dogs and cats in the shelter were either moved or placed in foster homes.
The animal control department of Billings shares space with the shelter. Since they were unaware of the drug burns, Halverson assumed that the smoke coming from burning carcasses was the cause of the smoke filling parts of the building.
Others experienced lightheadedness, perspiration, and coughing, while Halverson reported having a severe headache and sore throat.
She remarked, “Not a party.”.
When they were at the hospital, a city official called and informed the staff that it was methamphetamine smoke, Halverson said. The majority of the staff received treatment in an oxygen chamber for several hours.
Some employees have experienced persistent symptoms, according to Halverson.
In addition, they were keeping a close eye on four litters of kittens that were exposed more because they were in a smoke-filled, enclosed room, she said.
According to FBI spokesperson Sandra Barker, controlled drug evidence burns are frequently carried out at outside locations. She directed additional inquiries to Billings representatives.
Iffland stated that one of the city’s animal control supervisors who witnessed the burn on Wednesday chose not to visit the hospital. Their supervisor instructed the FBI agents to visit the hospital.
To prevent it from releasing toxins, the incinerator is designed to run at a specific temperature. Authorities were attempting to ascertain whether it was at the proper temperature on Wednesday, according to Iffland.
Until it can be tested for contamination, the shelter will stay closed. Although Iffland stated he was unaware of the results, shelter employees were tested for possible exposure.
Jay Ettlemen, a resident of Billings, expressed his anger upon learning of the drug burns while visiting the shelter on Friday to donate dog food.
Ettlemen questioned, “What in hell are they doing to destroy drugs inside the city limits?”. Numerous other locations can be found in the middle of nowhere. “”.
