The Lancaster Township Fire Department was dispatched to 336 S. West End Ave. the Hamilton Arms Nursing Home in the early morning hours of Saturday January 30,1999 for an investigation. Six workers had become sick and were transported to near by hospitals. A mass casualty box alarm was dispatched to assist in moving the residents to a safe area which included 10 ambulances. Lancaster County Haz 2 was dispatched to attempt to find the origin of the air borne irritatant.
The ventilation system was shut down and new readings were taken. After restarting the ventilation system it was determined that the irritatant had dissipated. Fireman that were in the hot zone were decontaminated by the Haz Mat team.
Assisting the Haz mat Team were rescue companys from East Petersburg Rescue 2-3, Eden Rescue 2-4, New Danville Rescue 5-5, Willow St. Rescue 5-12 , Lancaster City Engine 2, Millersville Rescue 6-5, West Lancaster Rescue 6-8, and Colombia Station 8-4 Rescue.

The substance has not determined to date.