Mountainair, a rural community east of Albuquerque, became the focus of a dangerous response Wednesday after authorities were called to a suspected overdose at a home on the outskirts of town and first responders began showing signs of possible exposure. Three people at the residence were later pronounced dead, while one other unresponsive person was taken to an Albuquerque hospital, according to New Mexico State Police.
Investigators said responders who arrived at the home were exposed to the unknown substance and later experienced symptoms including nausea and dizziness. The incident began with reports of a suspected drug overdose, and state police said four people were found unresponsive inside the Mountainair home. Three of them died, and the fourth was being treated in Albuquerque, police said. The names of the victims were not released.
Antonette Alguire, a volunteer firefighter in Mountainair, described how she helped perform CPR on a woman outside the home. Alguire said she later watched emergency medical technicians and firefighters cough, vomit and become dizzy after arriving and being exposed, even though she did not go inside the residence and did not experience symptoms herself. She said the experience left her concerned about what responders might have to do to protect themselves in future incidents. “It’s getting to that point where we just have to live in fear, even saving lives,” she said.
Officials said the investigation continues to identify what substance was involved. Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto told residents he saw drugs at the scene and pointed to that possibility as a factor in the deaths, while also saying the health issues reported by those exposed were not related to carbon monoxide or natural gas. New Mexico State Police said there was no threat to the public. “At this time, investigators believe the substance may be transmitted through contact and do not believe it to be airborne,” Officer Wilson Silver said.
The response also included medical assessment and decontamination for those who may have been exposed. The University of New Mexico Hospital said nearly two dozen patients were assessed and decontaminated after exposure to the substance, with most of them first responders who showed no symptoms and later were discharged. Hospital officials said three symptomatic patients were being monitored Wednesday evening.
As multiple agencies remained on the scene late Wednesday afternoon, authorities placed the three bodies on gurneys and loaded them into a white van, which then left the area, according to the report. Yellow tape surrounded the home along a dirt road, and a singlewide trailer could be seen in the backyard, with cars, trucks and vans parked in the driveway.
Nieto said the town’s law enforcement and first responders work daily to protect the community and respond to difficult situations. He also said town hall would be closed Thursday, citing what he described as the emotional toll on employees. Speaking to residents as frustration over drug use circulated on social media, Nieto said, “But the reality is that addiction and substance abuse are issues affecting communities all across our state and nation,” adding that he said lasting change requires family support, accountability, education and people “who are willing to accept help.”