6 people rushed to the hospital overnight after they were exposed to fentanyl at Lorain City Jail

LORAIN, Ohio — Six people were rushed to Mercy Medical Center in Lorain just before 1 a.m. on Thursday after they were exposed to the dangerous and powerful drug fentanyl, according to the Lorain Fire Department.

Assistant Fire Chief Matt Homolya said the fire department was dispatched to the Lorain City Jail for a fentanyl exposure at 12:49 a.m.

LifeCare Ambulance Services said two paramedics, three police officers and one inmate were transported to the hospital due to the exposure.

Mike Vielhaber

Firefighters who responded were seen carrying several plastic bags out from the jail with firefighter turnout gear inside the bags. Turnout gear includes the pants and coats first responders wear when handling dangerous drugs like fentantyl.

Mike Vielhaber

According to the CDC, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. The agency said first responders can be exposed to the drug by inhalation, mucous membrane contact, ingestion, and percutaneous exposure (e.g., needlestick).This can lead to a rapid onset of life-threatening respiratory depression.

The Lorain Police Department hasn’t answered questions surrounding the exposure.

News 5 Cleveland will updated this story when more details become available.