1-year-old in critical condition after chemical exposure at Everman home
A 1-year-old child remained in critical but stable condition Friday after an apparent chemical exposure inside an Everman home prompted a hazardous materials response that also sent a firefighter to the hospital, according to the Everman Fire Department.
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In a statement posted to Facebook, Everman Emergency Services said firefighters responded about 6 p.m. Thursday to a HAZMAT incident involving burn victims in the 5100 block of Wilson Road. When crews arrived, they encountered two people outside the residence, with one person still inside. Firefighters removed the person from the home and provided advanced life support.
The child was airlifted to Parkland Memorial Hospital with serious burn injuries, according to the department. The two people outside were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Additional assistance was requested from Tarrant County Emergency Services District No. 1 Station 770 and the Tarrant County sheriff’s office.
When hazmat crews entered the home, they discovered a small spill of an unidentified liquid, officials said. Samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing to determine the substance involved.
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Fire officials said the spill remained contained inside the residence and never posed a threat to surrounding homes or the neighborhood.
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An Everman firefighter exposed to the substance during the response was transported to JPS Health Network in stable condition after inhaling and contacting the substance, officials said. The firefighter was released shortly after midnight and is expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as officials work to identify the substance and determine how the exposure occurred.
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Everman is located about 12 miles south of downtown Fort Worth.
“We ask for your prayers for all those injured or affected by this incident,” the department said in the statement.
Safety tips for chemical emergencies
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people in a chemical emergency to move away from the area of exposure as quickly as possible and follow instructions from local authorities on whether to evacuate or shelter in place.
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CDC guidance states people exposed to a chemical should remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin immediately, ideally within the first 10 minutes after exposure. People who cannot shower should wipe off as much of the substance as possible until they can properly decontaminate.
The CDC recommends keeping windows and doors closed when authorities order residents to shelter in place during a chemical incident. Anyone experiencing symptoms after exposure or unable to remove the substance from their body should seek medical attention immediately.
Anyone exposed to a potentially harmful chemical should call Poison Control at 800-222-1222, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention, officials said.
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