Two Ohio County deputies on Saturday rushed into a basement filled with toxic gases to save a life, and Tuesday they were recognized for their actions by county officials.

Deputies Aidan Zamborsky and Brenda Lesnett were treated for exposure to the gases following the incident, which took place on GC&P Road. They have since returned to full duty, Chief Deputy Kent Lewis told Ohio County commissioners during their meeting Tuesday morning.

The current health of the victim removed from the basement isn’t known.

“I believe he is still alive, but there were some other health things going on,” Lewis said.

He explained there had been a three-man crew working on the gas lines. One of the men went inside the basement to use the bathroom, and when he didn’t return after about 30 minutes his co-workers went to check on him. They contacted emergency responders.

“These guys and gals went in even though they couldn’t breathe,” Lewis continued. “The oxygen level was at 2-4% in the basement. There was obviously some gas down there that created issues for us and for EMS.”

Sheriff Nelson Croft wasn’t at the commission meeting on Tuesday, but later in the day he provided additional details of what occurred.

He explained the deputies had responded to a medical call of a man found unconscious and not breathing. Croft noted it is suspected there was some combination of sewer gas and carbon monoxide in the basement.

“The deputies got light headed, nearly passed out and there was an evacuation,” Croft said.

The deputies went back outside and were soon joined by two members of the West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department — Ed and Elizabeth Wolfe. Together the four went back inside, removed the man from the basement, and began to administer CPR.

“The gentleman was still alive when he reached the hospital,” Croft said. “That is all I know.”

One of the EMS workers also was held at the hospital because of some underlying health issues, but has since been released, reported Ohio County Emergency Management Agency Director Lou Vargo.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. If you read all the chemical books, nothing matched,” he said. “The city assisted us. We were there for five hours. And there’s still some mystery about it.”

Members of the Clearview Volunteer Fire Department and the Ohio County EMS also came to the scene. There was a collaborative response, according to Vargo.

Croft said the Sheriff’s Department is sending thoughts and prayers to the family of the victim. He also had praise for his deputies.

“I feel like they put themselves out there every day when they step out of the door at their house,” Croft continued. “I am proud of them. And I am proud of the (volunteer) firefighters. They don’t get paid for this.”