UPDATE: A chemical suicide prompted emergency officials to evacuate homes in SE Salina and close Markley Road, Thursday morning.

Emergency responders blocked off the area after learning a man inside a home in the 2100 block of Brookefield was suicidal and was thought to have a mix of toxic chemicals.

Police Lt. Scott Siemsen said that 46-year-old Kerry Hullett locked himself in a room, set off a chemical reaction that created noxious fumes, and then shot himself.

A Haz-Mat team found the man deceased upon making entry.

Traffic to the area was reopened Thursday afternoon, after emergency crews cleared the area of the poisonous gas.

Hydrogen Sulfide is the chemical mixture that is thought to have been involved.

The use of hydrogen sulfide by those attempting to commit suicide has increased across the U.S. in recent years, and law enforcement across Kansas have reported its involvement in a number of suicides over the past year.

The Saline County Coroner has ordered an autopsy.

 

 

 

ORIGINAL: Five homes in southeast Salina evacuated after 9am this morning, because of a possible suicide attempt by a man using a potential lethal mixture of chemicals.

Lt. Scott Siemsen with the Salina Police Department says a family member of the man called police about the situation at a home in the 2100 block of Brookfield in the Magnolia Hills subdivision on the east side of Markley Road.

Markely Road was blocked off at Magnolia Road on the south, and Red Top Ridge on the north. (UPDATE: Shortly after noon, Markley Rd was reopened).

Public Information officer Roger Williams of the Salina Fire Department, said it has not been determined what type of chemicals could be involved.

With the wind coming from the north, 5 homes south of the home where the incident occurred were evacuated.

Witnesses near the scene have reported that officers entered the home shortly before 11am. The coroner reportedly arrived at the scene around 12:30.

More information is expected to be released by authorities later this afternoon.