Four police officers and four firefighters were examined Tuesday after being exposed to what they allege was a hidden drug laboratory at an apartment building in Crestwood, according to Crestwood fire Chief Jonathan Newton.
Newton said the Fire Department received a noon call Tuesday for a medical emergency at an apartment building on the 12700 block of South Central Avenue. Because officers found a suspected methamphetamine operation, along with a medical emergency for one individual and did not know what drugs were present, they were taken to hospitals for examination, Newton said.
The police officers were taken to Palos Community Hospital and the fire fighters were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where they were all evaluated and released, Newton said.
The individual involved in the suspected methamphetamine operation remains hospitalized, and the criminal investigation continues, according to a police statement Wednesday.
Crestwood police are also working with Illinois State Police as investigations continue, according to Newton.
A village’s hazmat team responded and deemed the area safe, Newton said. He said the scene is safe and not a danger to residents as of Wednesday afternoon.