Three people died and 18 first responders were sickened by exposure to fentanyl in a rural New Mexico home this week, New Mexico state police said.
Police initially found four people unconscious at the home in Mountainair, 90 miles (145km) east of Albuquerque. Two were declared dead at the scene and a third died at a hospital.
During the response, authorities said, first responders were exposed to the substance and began experiencing symptoms including nausea and dizziness. Eighteen were hospitalized and then decontaminated.
Preliminary findings suggest multiple powdered opioids contributed to the deaths of three residents, including fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl (also known as P4 fentanyl), and methamphetamine.
Officials identified the deceased as 51-year-old Mika Rascon and 49-year-old Georgia Rascon. The identity of the third person has not been released by the medical examiner.