Coroner called to haz mat scene

LOWER POTTSGROVE>> The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office was called to a home in Lower Pottsgrove Township Sunday, after an initial report of a medical emergency later also became a hazardous materials incident.

Lower Pottsgrove Township Police and Goodwill Ambulance were sent to a home along the 2700 block of Schaffer Road at 11:41 a.m., where they encountered a deceased victim and a strong chemical odor. The home was evacuated and a Montgomery County Department of Public Safety Hazardous Materials Team, along with the Sanatoga and Ringing Hill fire companies, were called to the scene to investigate, according to a press release.

Crews wore a self contained breathing aparatus to enter the home and used special meters to determine if the odors/fumes were dangerous or hazardous. A preliminary investigation found the odor/fumes was from a hyrdo-carbon-based substance. Fire crews used fans to blow fresh air into the home and the hazardous material team continued to monitor the levels of fumes inside the house. Once at safe levels, police and the coroner entered to conduct their investigation. There was no danger or hazard found for the public’s safety or anyone else in the area, according to the release.

The cause and manor of death is still being investigated and further details will come from the coroner’s office, the release states.

Schaffer Road was closed until police and emergency crews cleared the scene at 3:07 p.m, according to police.

Crews wore a self contained breathing aparatus to enter the home and used special meters to determine if the odors/fumes were dangerous or hazardous

TOM KELLY III — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Emergency crews are parked in front of a home along the 2700 block of Schaffer Road Sunday after a report of a hazardous materials incident. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office later arrived at the scene.