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2 Dead At Maryland County Fair Due To Suspected Overdose

HOWARD CO., Md. (WJZ) -- Police are investigating the suspected overdose deaths of two employees at a Maryland county fair.

Two food vendor employees who didn't show up for work were found around 11:50 a.m. inside a locked bunkhouse at the Howard County Fair, according to Howard County Police.

The fire department forced their way inside and found two men, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s, who died from suspected drug overdoses.

Officers say evidence of drug use was found at the scene.

"At the fair association, we've never experienced anything like this, so we're quite concerned," said fair president Mickey Day.

There is no indication of foul play at this time. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

The food vendors at the fair are owned by several different companies. Day said the company the two men worked for has been involved with the fair for several years.

Fair employees undergo pre-employment and random drug screening.

With four days left in the fair, the president wants visitors to know he has full confidence their fair experience will be a safe one.

"We're sure this was an isolated incident. While it's unfortunate, we want to reassure the public that we're going to do everything in our power to make sure that this is a safe place to bring your kids, to bring your family," Day said.

Both men are from out of state, and their identities have not been released.

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