14 animal shelter workers hospitalized after FBI meth burn goes wrong
Staff scrambled to evacuate 50 to 70 animals from the contaminated shelter. KRTV 3
Fourteen employees at a Montana animal shelter were hospitalized after inhaling meth-contaminated smoke from a failed FBI drug incineration that vented into their building, officials said.
The incident happened Wednesday at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Billings, where staff suddenly began feeling ill as toxic fumes from a nearby crematorium entered the facility through a shared ventilation system.
City officials confirmed the smoke was caused by the FBI burning methamphetamine evidence during a routine drug disposal. Due to a “negative air pressure issue,” the contaminated air was pulled back into the shelter instead of being properly vented outside, according to Assistant City Administrator Kevin Iffland. Safety fans meant to prevent this were not turned on, and the city is now investigating the lapse in protocol.
Shelter staff reported symptoms including dizziness, headaches, and coughing. All 14 were treated in hyperbaric oxygen chambers at Billings Clinic and later released.
“It happened within minutes,” said shelter director Triniti Halverson. “We had to evacuate dozens of animals as the smoke poured in.”
Community engagement coordinator Izzy Zalenski noted that the shelter’s HVAC system—designed for typical office use—was unequipped to handle chemical fumes. “It’s never smelled like that before,” Zalenski said.
As the smoke spread, staff rushed to move 50 to 70 animals to safety. Trap-neuter-return coordinator Lisette Worthey described rescuers becoming ill while trying to evacuate young kittens.
“We were pulling animals out while smoke billowed into the room,” Worthey said. “Some of us, myself included, got dizzy and lightheaded.”
Several FBI agents at the scene were also briefly hospitalized and later released.
Halverson said she had warned the city for years about chemical smoke leaking into the shelter during drug burns, but her concerns were ignored. While regular incinerations of animal remains caused no issues, Halverson said drug evidence burns repeatedly sent fumes into the facility. She had even offered to cover the cost of private cremation services to avoid the risk, but the city declined.
Following the incident, all animals were bathed and moved to foster homes or veterinary clinics. A few kittens with breathing problems are under close medical supervision.
The shelter remains closed as crews work to clean the building and assess when it will be safe to reopen.
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