'Violently ill': 3 people hospitalized after drinking 'unknown cleaner' at Winston-Salem bar
Three people were injured after drinking an "unknown cleaner" at a Winston-Salem bar earlier this month.
According to an event report from Forsyth County Emergency Services, firefighters and medics were called to Burke Street Pub on Nov. 9 in reference to a poisoning. Crews arrived at the bar 10 minutes after the call, around 8:30 p.m.
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The report says a male was vomiting at the time of the 911 call after ingesting an "unknown cleaner."
David Lawson, the 911 systems manager for FCEMS, says three patients were taken to the hospital. One went by ambulance to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and two others went by personal car.
Through a Freedom of Information Act request, 12 Investigates obtained the 911 call made that night which revealed more details about the incident. The caller describes one male who was "violently vomiting" and would not leave the restroom.
"We believe the beer line cleaners left a poisonous cleaner in one of the lines. I have three customers that have ingested it. Two are already on the way to the hospital. One is still here, violently ill. Please send an ambulance," the caller stated.
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The caller said they did not know the person's age, but they were awake and talking.
The caller also said on Tuesdays, a contracted company comes in to clean the beer lines out and the caller believes they left the cleaner in one of the beer lines.
"All three of these people drink the exact same beer and immediately begin vomiting. They said it was burning their throats and burning their mouths," the caller told 911.
The North Carolina Department of Labor said, "Since the hospitalized individuals were customers and not employees, the NCDOL would have no jurisdiction to investigate."
The Forsyth County Health Department also said they were not investigating: "The health department is not responsible for inspecting the pub as it does not serve food," a spokesperson said.
The North Carolina ABC Commission says they are not investigating. The Winston-Salem Police Department and the Forsyth County EMS also say they are not investigating. '12 Investigates' is working to find out who is.
Burke Street Pub did not respond for comment until Thursday morning. In a statement, staff say:
"Our draft lines are cleaned and serviced bi-weekly by the beer distributing companies. Not employees of Burke St Pub. This is an industry-wide practice.
On Tuesday November 7th, our lines were cleaned and serviced by one of the beer distributing companies.
This particular beer was not served until the Thursday the 9th. Unbeknownst to our staff or patrons, and unrecognizable by sight or smell; beer line cleaner was left in the line by the beer company's line cleaning technician.
The three who ingested the beer were immediatley given prompt medical attention and the beer company was contacted.
The beer company, who for legal reasons their name cannot be released at this time, has since reserviced their lines and followed all safety precautions to ensure their product is safe to serve."
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