Hazmat Investigation in Bellflower

Bellflower (myFOXla.com) - Los Angeles County Fire Hazmat crews conducted an investigation in Bellflower today after a pair of sheriff's deputies became ill while driving through the area, authorities said.

The deputies were in the 17000 block of Lakewood Boulevard, near Park Street, when they fell ill around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, a county fire dispatch supervisor said.

He said they felt better when they moved to another area and breathed fresh air, but both were taken to a hospital as a precaution.

County Fire Battalion Chief Bill Niccum told camera crews at the scene that the two experienced nausea, throat irritation and a burning sensation in their eyes before they were transported to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

Niccum said Hazmat crews scouted the immediate area and monitored the air but could not immediately find the problem.

Crews planned to expand their search and investigation north of the Artesia (91) Freeway, he added.

Both east and westbound Lakewood Boulevard onramps to the Artesia Freeway were being shut down until further notice. Lakewood Boulevard was also blocked from Artesia Boulevard to Flower Street to accommodate the investigation, according to camera crews at the scene.