Emergency crews rescue 2 workers at church construction site

Kansas City firefighters rescued two workers overcome by fumes at a church under construction on Tuesday.

Six firefighting units were called to 201 Westport Road at 9:45 a.m. for what was called a "confined space" rescue.

Authorities said that two construction workers were overcome by fumes while they were waterproofing a basement area at Westport Presbyterian Church.

James Garrett of the Kansas City Fire Department said the rescue took a while. He said it was difficult figuring out exactly what the situation was before they could go down and rescue the men.

We had to get our meters down there and check the atmosphere to see exactly what we had and get guys down there with air packs to recover the individuals, Garrett said.

Firefighters lowered equipment down to the two men. They said one of them was up and moving, but the other man was unconscious. Crews were able to lift both men out and got them to a hospital for treatment of respiratory stress. Both men are expected to be OK.

Crews said the workers were using chemicals that contain acetone. They said the men should have been wearing masks, but they were not.

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Emergency crews rescue 2 workers at church construction site