LAS CRUCES - A pecan plant was evacuated early Sunday morning due to a reported hazmat situation. Four people were taken to a local hospital as a result, though police said their conditions are not life-threatening.

A cleaning crew was working in the New Aces Pecan Company plant, at 2455 Entrada del Sol, about 5 a.m. Sunday, when members of the crew began to get light-headed.

Arriving firefighters discovered two victims who were unable to move on their own, police said. Those employees and others were evacuated. In all, four people were transported to the hospital, and two declined to be transported, according to LCPD.

Initially, the concern was cleaning chemicals possibly causing problems, according to the Las Cruces Police Department. But, after further investigation, officials found that gas-powered power washers were being used inside the building, which resulted in a buildup of carbon monoxide. That's believed to have been causing the workers' distress.

Carbon monoxide is a sometimes odorless, colorless gas found in fumes anytime fuel is burned in engines, stoves, lanterns, furnaces, grills or fireplaces. Carbon monoxide poisoning is potentially deadly.

LCFD’s Haz Mat crew cleared the air inside the pecan plant, police said, and removed the two pressure washers the cleaning crew was using.

Diana Alba Soular may be reached at 575-541-5443, dalba@lcsun-news.com or @AlbaSoular on Twitter.

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