An investigation continues after smoke from the burning of methamphetamine seized by the FBI billowed into a Billings animal shelter and forced the building to be evacuated.
City Administrator Chris Kukulski said 14 workers at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter were taken to local hospitals for testing and treatment following the incident on Wednesday afternoon.
Five law enforcement officers who were onsite while the drugs were being destroyed were also checked. Kukulski said they tested high for carbon dioxide, but negative for methamphetamine.
Several dozen animals were also evacuated from the shelter and none were lost, he said. The cats have been moved to other locations and the dogs are being fostered or kept outside in kennels.
The incinerator is located in a city-owned building on Monad Road, which houses Billings’ animal control division and the nonprofit shelter. While it is primarily used to burn carcasses of animals, law enforcement also uses it to destroy narcotics.
“We’ve got a specific protocol that we follow to reduce risk,” Kukulski said. “And yet we still had the problem.”
He said initial reports indicate smoke filled the building during a drug burn Wednesday due to negative pressure that sucked it back inside. A fan that was supposed to be in place as a backup had been removed and used elsewhere in the building, Kukulski said.
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The city’s incineration permit is reviewed by the health department every three years. Kukulski said he has confirmed the approved protocol for burning anything other than animals was followed on Wednesday.
The incinerator is meant to fire at certain temperatures so toxins aren’t emitted. Councilwoman TJ Rogers said she’s heard concerns about the safety of the air from several people who live near the shelter.
“I hope what is confirmed is that there aren’t off gasses that are inclusive of the drugs that are being incinerated,” Kukulski said. “So far, what it looks like is we are following the proper procedures and the unit is being used properly.”
The shelter is expected to remain closed until it can be tested for contamination. In the meantime, the city is only picking up vicious animals.
“So far, that’s been limited to two cats and a dog,” Kukulski said. “Thankfully, we don’t have a scenario where we’re dealing with a dozen new animals everyday.”
Local veterinary clinics have stepped up to help the city house them until the shelter is reopened.
Kukulski cautioned people who want to donate to the nonprofit to be careful. The Billings Police Department sent out a warning Monday afternoon about a scam that has been taking fraudulent payments intended for the shelter on Venmo.
Damages have been turned into the city’s insurance company, Kukulski said. But, who will be responsible for the costs remains unclear.
“I’m not trying to shirk that responsibility,” he said. “We just don’t know the details.”
Kukulski said the city will continue to investigate the incident and work to reopen the shelter as soon as possible.
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Amy Nile
City/County Government Reporter for the Gazette
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