Two people are dead and several others fell ill after an exposure to an unknown substance at Brighton Towers in Syracuse. First responders are among those who were effected as they evacuated and investigated the 6th floor apartment late Wednesday morning.
Syracuse Fire Department hazardous materials crews are working to determine what the substance is. County Executive Ryan McMahon said a drug used in horse tranquilizers is being cut with recreational drugs like heroin.
"Over the weekend we saw a spike in xylazine overdoses. We had over 40 confirmed cases, focused in centrally in the downtown area and the southwest section of the city. It's unknown whether any of these issues are related," McMahon said.
McMahon adds fentanyl has not been ruled out.
The officers, firefighters, EMT, and nurse who fell ill have been released from the hospital. Sixth floor resident returned to their homes around 6 p.m. Wednesday evening after the first responders decontaminated the area and deemed it safe.
Information from Ryan McMahon is courtesy of Channel 9.
