2 Ventura County Detectives Hospitalized After Exposure To Unknown Substance In Reseda

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Two Ventura County Sheriff's detectives were hospitalized after being exposed to an unknown substance while conducting an investigation at an apartment in the San Fernando Valley community of Reseda Tuesday morning.

The exposure occurred before 8 a.m. inside an apartment in the area of Sherman Way and Calvin Avenue while the two detectives were serving a warrant for an investigation into a commercial burglary which had occurred back in January, the sheriff's office confirmed to CBSLA.

A detective inhaled a powdery substance, lost consciousness, and had to be carried out by her fellow detective, Ventura County Sheriff's Capt. Denise Silva said.

Both detectives were taken to a hospital for evaluation and were last reported to be in stable condition. A woman who was also in the apartment at the time was treated at the scene and was expected to be OK as well.

Los Angeles Fire Department hazmat crews later entered the apartment and tested the substance to determine what it is. The substance was still unknown. The circumstances leading up to the exposure were unclear. There was no word on whether any arrests were made.

"We have that concern that, is it a narcotic that can render somebody unconscious like that," Silva said. "So they're gonna test for that obviously, and try to determine what that substance is. Those are always in the back of our mind. We take precautions. But these incidents do occur, and it's scary."

The two detectives were carrying kits that treat drug exposure, Silva noted. They were able to use those until LAFD paramedics arrived on scene.

The L.A. Police Department was also assisting in the case.