LCPD: Firefighters save 6 employees of pecan plant ‘overcome by ‘toxic fumes’

Las Cruces firefighters helped six employees of a local pecan processing plant overcome by toxic fumes early Sunday morning.

Officials said four of the six employees required “advanced” medical treatment and were transported to local hospitals. Their conditions are not considered to be life-threatening.

The firefighters were dispatched to the pecan processing plant at 2455 Entrada del Sol shortly before 5 a.m. on Sunday, February 24, 2019.

Officials said several employees working for a cleaning crew were overcome by toxic fumes.

Firefighters discovered two employees who were unable to move on their own. Those two employees and others were successfully evacuated from the building, officials said.

In all, six employees appeared to have been overcome by toxic fumes. Four of those employees were transported to local hospitals.

The Hazardous Materials Team with the Las Cruces Fire Department sampled the air inside the building and reviewed chemicals used by the cleaning crew.

Officials said firefighters determined the chemicals were used properly and were not the cause of the toxic fumes. “Firefighters ultimately determined the employees’ symptoms were a result of two gas-powered pressure washers that were used inside the enclosed building, which resulted in a buildup of carbon monoxide,” said the LCFD in a news release.

Fire officials warn the public that carbon monoxide is a sometimes odorless, colorless gas found in fumes anytime fuel is burned in engines, stoves, lanterns, furnaces, grills or fireplaces. Carbon monoxide poisoning is potentially deadly.

The fire department’s Haz Mat crew cleared the air inside the pecan plant and removed the two pressure washers the cleaning crew was using.