Deaths of 2 pest control workers prompts evacuation of Pompano Beach warehouse, cops say
A furniture warehouse in Pompano Beach was evacuated Tuesday afternoon following the deaths of two pest control workers and the hospitalization of a third over the weekend, according to authorities.
The Baer’s Furniture warehouse, 1589 NW 12th Ave., was evacuated around noon Tuesday following reports that two employees of a pesticide company had died elsewhere after fumigating the location, the Broward Sheriff’s Office told the Miami Herald. Investigators say a third pest control worker was hospitalized.
As of Tuesday night, authorities hadn’t said what led to the deaths and illness — which are being investigated by several state and local agencies including the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The workers’ identities and the name of the pest control company haven’t been released.
The situation began Saturday after the three workers had completed their work. Later that day, one of them began to feel ill and went to a hospital in Palm Beach County, said Carey Codd, a BSO spokesman.
“It was discovered later that day that the other two employees were found deceased,” Codd said in an email Tuesday. “One was found [dead] in Hollywood and the other in Boynton Beach.”
The worker in Boyton Beach was found at around 5:15 p.m. Saturday. According to Boyton Beach police, officers went to 927 SW 36th Ave. in response to a man needing medical attention. He was taken to Baptist Health Bethesda Hospital East and died minutes later.
“The deceased was employed by a pest control company and he was at work prior to this incident,” Boyton Beach Police Maj. Mike Kelley told the Herald in an email Wednesday morning. “This is an ongoing investigation.”
The worker who was found dead in Hollywood was discovered at about 9:45 p.m. Saturday.
According to the Hollywood Police Department, officers forced their way into a vehicle in the 1700 block of Taft Street after finding him.
“Hollywood Hazmat was called out, and no hazardous chemicals were found coming from the vehicle,” Hollywood police spokeswoman Deanna Bettineschi told the Miami Herald in an email Tuesday afternoon. “Detectives are working on this investigation and waiting for a cause of death ruling from the Medical Examiners’ Office.”
On Tuesday, in an abundance of caution, the warehouse at 1589 NW 12th Ave. was evacuated. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue inspected it for hazardous materials but found nothing of concern, authorities said.
The warehouse is less than a mile from Markham Elementary School, which went on a hold status, keeping everyone indoors, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
Baer’s Furniture employees returned to the building later in the day. Kari Fletcher, the company’s director of marketing, told the Miami Herald in an email that no Baer’s staff were injured.
