Two of the deceased were identified as 51-year-old Micah Rascon and 49-year-old Georgia Rascon.
Source: New Mexico State Police (via Facebook)
Images: Courtesy
Investigators now believe exposure to multiple dangerous narcotics — including fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl — played a central role in the deadly hazardous materials incident that left three people dead and sent numerous first responders to the hospital in Mountainair earlier this week.
During a Friday press conference, officials from the New Mexico State Police, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, University of New Mexico Hospital and local agencies provided new details about the ongoing investigation at a residence on Hanlon Avenue.
According to State Police Chief Matt Broom, the incident began around 7:40 a.m. Wednesday when Torrance County personnel responded to what was initially believed to be a suspected overdose. “Shortly after arriving on scene, the first responders that had entered the residence began experiencing symptoms associated with being exposed to the hazardous substance,” Broom said.
Officials now say 25 people were exposed during the incident. Twenty have since been treated and released, two remain hospitalized at UNM Hospital and three people are deceased.
Two of the deceased were identified as 51-year-old Micah Rascon and 49-year-old Georgia Rascon. Officials said the identity of a third deceased individual is being withheld pending confirmation through the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Broom said preliminary findings indicate the incident is tied to exposure to a powdered opioid substance. “Within the home, an on-scene DEA laboratory analysis has confirmed the presence of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl — also called P4 fentanyl,” Broom said.
He added that investigators are not yet discussing possible criminal charges while the investigation remains active. “This incident serves as a reminder of the risk these drugs pose to the community as a whole, including our loved ones, first responders and medical staff,” Broom said.
Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto said he initially responded because officials feared the incident could involve carbon monoxide or a natural gas leak, noting that the town operates its own gas utility system. An inspection of the property ultimately ruled out natural gas exposure as a cause.
Nieto said four Mountainair EMS personnel were transported to UNM Hospital following the response. Three were released quickly, while one remained briefly for observation before also being released.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Emily Jaramillo said AFR responded around noon Wednesday after receiving a mutual aid request. “Our HazMat technicians from Station 13 made entry into the scene for the purposes of sampling unidentified substances and removal of one deceased individual from inside the residence,” Jaramillo said.
She added that AFR crews also performed decontamination procedures on deceased victims before transport by the Office of the Medical Investigator. According to Jaramillo, AFR field testing also detected nortriptyline and amino phenyl sulfate during on-scene sampling operations.
Dr. Steve McLaughlin, chief medical officer for the University of New Mexico Hospital system, said the hospital treated 23 patients connected to the incident. “We did have one patient, unfortunately, that made it to the hospital but died while at the hospital,” McLaughlin said. At the time of Friday’s press conference, two patients remained hospitalized.
McLaughlin also emphasized the continuing dangers associated with fentanyl exposure. “Fentanyl is particularly dangerous because it requires only a tiny, tiny amount to cause an overdose,” he said. McLaughlin urged the public to immediately call 911 if they encounter someone displaying signs of opioid toxicity and encouraged the use of naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, as an emergency treatment.
“That is a lifesaving treatment that could be administered to folks, and we really want the public to get that message,” he said.
Officials continue to maintain there is no ongoing threat to the broader public outside the affected residence area as the investigation remains active.
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