It’s a mystery, what killed a Broward teenager and caused first responders to suffer breathing problems and burns from some unknown chemical at the victim’s home?
Broward Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives are investigating the death of a West Park teenager who died Wednesday morning at the hospital after becoming ill.
Medical staff at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital tried to treat the teen and were concerned that there was a strange smell, possibly gas, coming from the victim’s body.
As a result, BSO deputies and firefighters responded to the victim’s residence in the 5300 block of Southwest 24th Street in West Park.
Arriving deputies went into the home to investigate and search for any other possible victims. As one of the deputies was exiting the residence, he complained about having trouble breathing.
He was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
When BSO firefighters entered the home wearing full protective gear, one of them appeared to suffer a second-degree burn from exposure to possibly an unknown chemical.
He was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital as well. It was later determined the skin irritation he experienced was not related to the call. Fortunately, both the deputy and firefighter are expected to be treated and released.
HAZMAT teams with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and Hollywood Fire Rescue took readings and samples and analyzed the findings to determine what kind of hazardous chemicals, if any, were present. After several sweeps of the home, rescue personnel deemed the scene safe for homicide and crime scene detectives to continue their death investigation. No hazardous or harmful materials were found.
Sheriff’s spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright told news outlets the boy’s family took him to the hospital on Tuesday because he was feeling ill. He was treated and released.
But his father took him back to the hospital on Wednesday because he was still sick. Officials say he died around 9 a.m.
Coleman-Wright said no one else living at the home was sick or had any injuries.
The Broward Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death.