3 people treated after suddenly falling ill at DTLA apartment

LOS ANGELES - Emergency crews treated at least three people who became ill after being exposed to an unknown substance. 

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Alhambra Police Department was conducting a drug investigation when people were exposed to a hazardous substance that appeared to be thrown off of the 6th floor of an apartment building. The substance then spilled onto the sidewalk. 

At least three people, all adult men who were inside the apartment, reported becoming ill. The incident occurred outside an apartment building in the 300 block of East Second Street in downtown LA around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

"The patients were suffering from unknown symptoms described as overdose type symptoms. There was a white powder that was found on the ground, so our firefighters quickly upgraded to a hazmat incident," said LA City Fire Capt. Van Gerpen.  

Three people were taken to the hospital. The extent of their illness is unknown. No one else was injured or fell ill. LAFD said there was no escalating threat or hazard to the community.

It's unclear what substance they were exposed to, but the fire department said it was a white powder. Images from SkyFOX show emergency crews in hazmat suits. The victims' clothes were also put in hazmat bags. 

Second Street was shutdown between Central avenue and San Pedro Street as a precaution.

Decontaminating the area required spraying the sidewalk and gutters with water. Hours later officials retested to determine if any drug residue remained.