Fort Worth Fire Department officials said they helped remove the body of a man weighing about 500 pounds after he was found dead in his home Thursday.
Tim Hardeman, with the FWFD, said a neighbor called 911 on Jan. 9 to report finding the deceased man on the floor of his home. The neighbor told 911 operators they hadn't seen the man for a few days and went to check on him.
Hardeman said fire crews went to the scene and confirmed the man had died. After leaving the scene in the care of the Fort Worth Police Department and Tarrant County medical examiner, Hardeman said fire crews were called to the scene again to help lift the body.
Fire personnel, MedStar ambulance personnel and others put on Hazmat suits and air packs due to the condition of the deceased man and the residence before using ropes and tarps to remove the man.
Following removal of the body, the personnel involved went through decontamination procedures. Hardeman did not detail the specific reason for the need for decontamination.
The man's identity has not been released by the Tarrant County medical examiner.
