Full Notification

Shortly after 9:00 AM, Jasper County Fire-Rescue and Ridgeland Fire Department responded to a report of a medical complaint at Ridgeland Nursing Center after an unknown substance was released.  The initial units arrived on the scene within 3 minutes of the 911 call with reports of multiple patients.  Initial crews assisted nursing home staff with evacuations of residents from the affected area of the facility and isolating the A-wing.  Hazardous Material resources from Beaufort County along with additional ambulances were requested from area agencies. 
 
A total of 109 persons were at the facility with 21 transported for evaluation at area hospitals.  Bluffton Township Fire-Rescue Hazmat Team was deployed in the facility to mitigate the hazard and ventilate the structure.  The cause of the chemical release was the result of a mixture of household cleaners that were being used to clean an ice machine at the facility.  The resulting mixture produced a gas that was inhaled.  Polaris Tech Charter School located near the facility was placed on lockdown as a precautionary action.  There is no threat to public health. 
 
The incident was mitigated through a unified response of Jasper County Fire-Rescue, Ridgeland Fire Department, Bluffton Township Fire-Rescue Hazardous Material Team, Hampton County EMS, Beaufort County EMS, MCAS Fire-Rescue, Colleton County Fire-Rescue, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Ridgeland Police Department, and the Jasper County School District.