A South Carolina man was arrested Friday after deputies said he hid beneath attic insulation during a barricade incident near Myrtle Beach, S.C.

According to the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, Nicholas Tate was charged with failure to appear and resisting arrest. Deputies responded to a residence on Guinevere Circle to serve an outstanding bench warrant. Authorities said Tate ran inside the home when officers arrived. Officials said Tate ignored repeated attempts to contact him and remained barricaded inside the residence for more than three hours. After securing a search warrant, deputies entered the home and located a makeshift opening leading into the attic. Investigators said they found Tate hiding underneath insulation in the attic space.

Safety Concerns

Long-term exposure to fiberglass and other types of insulation can create health and safety concerns for workers and occupants, particularly in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. For fiberglass, those particles can irritate the skin, eyes and upper respiratory system when fibers become airborne during installation, removal or disturbance of insulation materials. Repeated exposure may contribute to chronic coughing, throat irritation and breathing discomfort in sensitive individuals.

Contractors and remediation crews typically reduce exposure risks by using gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved respirators. Proper containment, ventilation and cleanup procedures are also important to prevent fibers from spreading through occupied areas during construction or demolition activities.