Hazmat Foulup in Waretown, Victim Survives

A Waretown 54-year-old is undergoing hospital observation after being overcome by toxic fumes in an apartment near Route 9 this morning.

Multiple local and county police units and several companies of firefighters responded to the call from the victim. When they arrived, they found him incoherent.

Officials say he had been sniffing bath salts and apparently tried to enhance the effect with chemicals. One authority says that hydrochlorine-based toxins were found at the scene.

The victim was taken to Southern Ocean County Medical Center in Manahawkin where he remains under observation. Three police officers needed treatment for eye irritation.

They are not releasing his identity, nor pressing charges, because he initiated the call for assistance.

The incident and investigation caused hefty delays on Route 9 in the township.

Initial reports of a bleach bomb that surfaced on several Facebook pages proved erroneous.

View 290 Route 9 in Waretown in a larger map