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MOUNTAINAIR 鈥� Federal authorities joined the investigation Thursday into what caused the deaths of three people and the hospitalization of more than a dozen first responders the day before.

The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration were among the agencies surrounding a Mountainair home in the 300 block of North Hanlon Avenue, where 23 people were reportedly exposed to an unknown substance Wednesday morning.

Mountainair is about 90 minutes southeast of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 in Torrance County.

It remained unclear what the substance was or how the people in the home died. Authorities are continuing to work on identifying it.

Yellow caution tape surrounded the property Thursday morning, and three DEA agents dressed in neon green hazmat suits entered the single-story home multiple times. Miscellaneous items, including a filled toolbox, wooden panels and a trailer loaded with outdoor supplies, were outside the house.

At one point, a DEA agent was seen gently carrying a small test tube out of the home. Before removing their suits, each agent was sprayed down, and other agents carefully positioned masks over their faces before approaching the residence.

Two people died at the home and a third died after being taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital in sa国际传媒官网网页入口. They will not be identified until next of kin have been notified, according to Torrance County Sheriff鈥檚 Office Undersheriff Stephanie Reynolds.

A fourth person was found unresponsive in the house and taken to the hospital. Their condition was unclear.

鈥淥ur involvement is going to be handling the unattended deaths that occurred,鈥� Reynolds said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very fresh into the investigation.鈥�

A nearby neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said the current residents lived in the house for less than a year.

Additionally, two household pets were rescued by a town animal control officer during the incident, according to a post from the Friends of the Mountainair Animal Shelter.

Audio archives from Torrance County Fire Dispatch revealed crews responded to a report of a 60-year-old man who was unconscious inside the home. Later, first responders requested naloxone, an opioid overdose-reversal drug.

More than 18 first responders were reportedly exposed to the unknown substance, including Mountainair EMS Chief Josh Lewis, who was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon, according to a social media post by Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto.

鈥淲e are grateful to share that he has been released and is heading home to get some much-needed rest. This is very encouraging news, and we are thankful to hear he is doing well,鈥� Nieto said.

Mountainair Town Hall, the local Public Works office and the MVD office were closed Thursday. Nieto said he wanted to give employees a chance to rest after an 鈥渆xtremely difficult and emotional morning.鈥�

Another patient being treated at UNMH was discharged around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to hospital spokesperson Brianna Mortensen.

Two patients remained at the hospital Thursday. Mortensen said she could not disclose their conditions because of patient privacy rules.

Two EMTs with Mountainair Fire and Rescue remained hospitalized in stable condition, according to a social media post from the fire department. It was unclear whether they were the two patients still at UNMH.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.