VIDEO: Pepper Spray or other chemical exposure at apartment complex, unincorporated Arlington Heights.
Cook County Sheriff’s police and Long Grove firefighter/paramedics responded about 1:11 AM Tuesday to a report of a “fire and explosion” at an apartment at 4041 Jennifer Lane Arlington Heights, Il. Police and firefighter/paramedics received a report that one man was “burned” in front of the building. The actual incident was an apparent dispersal of pepper spray or other chemical irritant.
Palatine Engine 82’s crew was first on the scene, and reported light smoke showing, which apparently turned out to be haze from the chemical.
Smoke alarms were activated in the building.
Residents were treated at the scene; paramedics were seen irrigating patients’ faces and eyes on the lawn in front of the apartment.
Some firefighter/paramedics showed signs of chemical exposure with tearing and red eyes.
Inside the apartment building firefighters were wearing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and were working to ventilate the apartment building.
There were an unknown number of people transported and/or treated at the scene, but there were at least two extra ambulance requested to respond to the scene for a total of at least four ambulances.
The American Red Cross also responded to the scene to assist people with shelter and lodging throughout the night.
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