Unknown Substance Released In Whitley County Jail; Emergency Responders Called
Posted
Staff Report-
COLUMBIA CITY – During a routine search of an inmate at the Whitley County Jail at 12:30 p.m. Monday, an unknown substance was released into the general booking area.
The area was occupied by several Whitley County Jail confinement officers and other jail inmates, according to a news release from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department and Whitley County commissioners.
Because the substance was unknown, local emergency responders and partners were called. The area was isolated and access restricted to minimize the spread of the substance. All necessary precautions were taken for the safety of the jail staff and inmates, according to the release.
There is no public safety risk, and all staff, employees and inmates are being treated per protocol, the release states. Units remained on scene until the area was cleaned and all remnants of the substance were removed.
Responding agencies included Columbia City Fire Department, Fort Wayne Fire Department Hazmat, Whitley County Health Department, Parkview Whitley Hospital, Parkview Whitley EMS and Whitley County Emergency Management.
