Officer hospitalized after exposure to unknown substance at Westminster probation office

An officer fell ill following exposure to an unknown substance at the West Orange County Probation Office in Westminster and about 20 people inside were evacuated Tuesday, Jan. 7.

A probation officer was searching a parolee and came into contact with something that caused unspecified symptoms at about 2:45 p.m., Orange County Chief Probation Officer Steven Sentman told reporters near the scene of the incident. A second officer administered a dose of Narcan to the apparently ill officer, who was taken to a hospital.

“Fortunately, our probation officer quickly responded to their assistance, and medics quickly after that,” Sentman said.

Narcan is a drug used to treat overdoses due to opioids like fentanyl and heroin. Authorities did not immediately confirm what substance may have been involved in the incident.

About 20 people were evacuated from the building at 14180 Beach Boulevard as Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Huntington Beach Fire Department officials checked to make sure the area was safe and gathered evidence. No additional injuries were reported, OCSD spokeswoman Carrie Braun said.

Hazardous materials experts were involved in the cleanup operation, which lasted well past the office’s regular business hours, Westminster Police Commander Alan Iwashita said.

The incident led to the closure of eastbound lanes of 13th Street at Beach Boulevard, Iwashita said.