CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A hazmat situation was reported at a local state lockdown facility with several overdoses.
It happened at around 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Alvis House on route 104 in Ross County.
Multiple ambulances, fire engines, and a local hazmat team were called to the facility after it was reported that employees came in contact with a substance purported to be fentanyl, according to local fire officials. The contact occurred during a routine search of a male housing dorm, according to Alvis House officials. Alvis House representatives said a couple employees “became ill” when they found the “white powdery substance” during the search.
A representative with Scioto Township Fire and EMS said the scene had been declared a hazmat situation and that people were being kept back from the area. Several Alvis House enrollees — or what some may refer as inmates — were evacuated from the building and housed in a gated yard on the state compound.
At least one person was transported to the hospital. The Guardian was not able to independently confirm the reason for the medical transport or if it was tied to the reported hazmat situation. Representatives with the Highway Patrol said they were requested to the facility for a “possible exposure” but once it was further investigated, troopers believed the situation was contained and a mass exposure would likely be ruled out as actually occurring.
Reports circulating that three people overdosed during the alleged drug exposure were not immediately confirmed by the Guardian.
Alvis House is a non-profit that contracts with the state for transitional rehab housing.
Several drug overdoses are reported at the facility on a weekly basis. In fact, statistics from the Ross County Sheriff’s office shows an average of one call a day for EMS to respond to reported overdoses within the walls of the compound.
“Alvis is a nonprofit human services agency with 50 years of experience providing highly effective treatment programs,” according to their website. “Our lines of service include research-based, comprehensive reentry and family support programs; behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services; recovery housing for women and their children; and services to individuals with developmental disabilities who are trying to live more independently in the community.”
