DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Hazmat was called to a Dayton business on Wednesday after several people were trapped unconscious in a pit.
According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch, crews were called to the 1100 block of West Stewart Street near the intersection with Wisconsin Boulevard just after 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Initial reports said four people were unconscious in a pit at ENS Trucking Repair.
Dayton Fire District Chief Adam Landis said first responders found four people down in a pit at the repair shop. Two were unconscious, the other two were conscious.
“They were reportedly cleaning down in the pit, so about 12 feet deep pit that they were working in,” Landis said.
Landis said hazmat teams made entry and got everyone out of the pit. All four people were taken to the hospital.
“I tell you what, the guys did an outstanding job,” Landis said. “We were on scene, I think, just almost exactly an hour from the time we showed up until the time we got all four victims out. In a confined space incident of this magnitude, that’s a tremendous job.”
The initial call reported two workers may have been electrocuted, Landis said that was quickly ruled out.
“We evaluated that hazard, determined that was not the case, made sure all the necessary precautions are taken before we made entry into that,” Landis said.
Landis said fire officials believe a pressure washer was being used, and could be a situation where fumes were not properly ventilated. He said this incident brings awareness to the dangers of gas-powered equipment.
“Carbon monoxide can build up and can cause you to go unconscious and ultimately cause death,” Landis said. “So you have to make sure ventilation any any kind of appliance like that or any kind of gas powered equipment, you have to make sure that it’s ventilated.”
No cause has been confirmed at this time and the incident remains under investigation.
