The animal refuge evacuated after the FBI incils of methamphetamine in the installation

Fourteen staff members of an American animal refuge were hospitalized on Wednesday after the FBI used an incinerator in the establishment to burn two pounds of methamphetamine seized.

The staff and some 75 cats and dogs were evacuated from the animal refuge from Yellowstone Valley in Billings, Montana, when the building filled with smoke.

The incinerator is generally used by animal control agents to eliminate euthanized animals, but local authorities have said that it can also be used by the police to burn seized narcotics.

Cats and dogs have been moved and animals that have experienced the most smoke exposure is now under surveillance.

The incident was caused when the smoke was pushed in the wrong direction due to the negative pressure, according to the deputy administrator of the city, Kevin Iffland.

The executive director of the refuge, Triniti Halverson, said that she was not aware that a drug burn was performing.

“I can say firmly and confidently that, as executive director, I did not know that they had extremely dangerous drugs on the spot,” she wrote in a statement.

“My team and my animals had been confirmed for being exposed to methamphetamine,” she said.

Before evacuating, many employees have put masks and helped bring the animals out.

Some staff members were exposed to smoke for more than an hour, and many have started to feel sick. Every 14 went to the emergency room, where they spent about three hours in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to combat the effects of smoke inhalation.

FBI spokesperson Sandra Barker told CBS News that the agency regularly used external facilities for evidence of controlled medicines.

The affected animals have received veterinary care and placed in temporary housing, including four chatons that are closely monitored because they were closed in a room with smoke, Halverson told BBC American partner, CBS News.

A catering team has also started to decontaminate the building, she said, but the process will take at least two weeks to a month.

Calling the “heartbreaking” incident, Halverson asks the public of donations to obtain supplies such as dog and cat food, blankets and bottles.

“We are moved, lost and homeless. For many of us – staff, volunteers and favorites – Yvas is our safe space,” she said.