Tennessee –
Union County emergency personnel were called to 2158 Sharps Chapel Road on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, around 3:20 P.M. for three people suffering from what was described as possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
Volunteer firefighters from Sharps Chapel Fire Department responded to assist Union County EMS at Alpes Sanfer, Inc. after a call was placed to 911. At the time of dispatch, emergency personnel were told that everyone was out of the building in question.
Responding firefighters found that to be untrue. When they arrived on the scene, firefighters saw 12-15 individuals in a panic, running in different directions. There are multiple buildings on the site including several barns that are large enough to house up to 9,000 chickens. The site is described as a small city that is extremely muddy due to the continued construction.
Two employees were inside one of the barns and according to the report, were alert but experiencing dizziness. It is unclear if any of the three affected employees lost consciousness. The fire department was told that employees were using a gasoline powered pressure washer inside the barn without proper ventilation where the incident occurred. Fortunately, the barn had been ventilated as firefighters arrived on the scene.
The three employees were transported with lights and sirens activated to Claiborne County Hospital with classic carbon monoxide symptoms. A supervisor accompanied them to the hospital for translation purposes.