Florida hazmat incident results in the hospitalization of eight first responders: Suspect Detained

Following a hazmat incident on Wednesday that sent eight first responders to the hospital, a Florida man was taken into custody.

The incident happened at 9:21 a.m. when deputies responded to complaints of a stolen car at a mobile home located at 310 N. Industrial Loop in LaBelle, according to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office.

After carrying out a search warrant for every property at the address, deputies spent the “better part of the day” there. Around 3:35 p.m., however, they discovered a body inside a mobile home.

Deputies immediately fell ill after going inside the house to tend to the unconscious man—later identified as Miami resident Juan Gonzalez Diaz, 45—who was the suspect.

NBC affiliate WBBH claimed that eight officials were hospitalized and twenty officials were reportedly exposed.

The reason behind the first responders’ illness is unknown, according to the sheriff’s office, and they were sent to a nearby hospital. Since then, the health status of every first responder has cleared.

Nobody living there was hurt.

Once doctors cleared Gonzalez Diaz, he was transferred to the Hendry County Jail and jailed. Due to a probation breach, he is being held without bond on an outstanding warrant.

The suspicious element is currently being investigated by LaBelle Fire, LaBelle EMS, Fort Myers Hazmat Team, Clewiston Police Department, Homeland Security, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Agency. These agencies returned to the area on Thursday. source