QUEENS — Eight lawmen were hospitalized after coming in contact with heroin fumes inside a Rego Park apartment following a dispute early Friday morning involving an emotionally disturbed man, officials said.
The man, 39 — who they believe was on heroin and who sources said had to be revived using an anti-overdose drug — and another civilian were also hospitalized.
Police officers responded to a 911 call about an emotionally disturbed man inside 63-84 Saunders St. at around 5 a.m., a spokeswoman for the NYPD said.
When the officers entered the apartment, they felt dizzy and lightheaded, police said. Several other officers who went inside the apartment later experienced the same symptoms, police said.
The FDNY said 10 people were taken to Elmhurst Hospital and LIJ Forest Hills, including eight lawmen and two civilians.
All of the officers were discharged later Friday morning, but one person remained in serious condition. It was unclear who that person was.
An individual had to be decontaminated before being taken to the hospital, but a spokesman for the FDNY could not immediately provide additional details.
Police officials confirmed that seven police officers and one sergeant were taken to the hospital for evaluation, while the emotionally disturbed man was taken into custody before being brought to Elmhurst Hospital.
Police sources said he had to be revived with Narcan, an anti-overdose medication, before he was taken to the hospital.
A large amount of cash was also found inside the apartment, but police are still investigating. Charges against him were pending, police said.
It was not immediately clear what the dispute was about, police said.
A spokesman for the FDNY said that the department conducted tests inside the apartment but they came back negative.
An FDNY hazmat team was on the scene and gas service to the building was cut off as a precaution, the spokesman said.