“…firefighters, assisted by numerous other agencies, worked in assessing potential patients after a furnace malfunction filled a four-story apartment building with carbon monoxide… Nine tenants were treated at local hospitals.
The potentially deadly situation came to light after a man took his four children to Vassar Brothers Medical Center (VBMC) with complaints that they were all feeling ill. After a battery of tests Sunday afternoon, VBMC notified City of Poughkeepsie 911 that all five patients were suffering from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning…On the top floor, carbon monoxide readings indicated a deadly level of the gas at 1,000 parts per million (ppm).
Firefighters were hampered in their ability to communicate with the tenants, who were mostly Spanish-speaking. The city’s fire department, along with the additional fire departments and ambulance personnel on the scene, do not speak Spanish.”
“Recovering from recent knee replacement surgery and spending much of his time in bed, he began hearing his CO monitor alarm going off. He had purchased it last year the day after he heard the tragic case of Point Roberts (Washington) residents Murray Church and Gail Asmundsen who died from CO poisoning on November 25…”
“Despite not having carbon monoxide detectors present in most residential buildings, on the Stony Brook Department of Student Community Development website, for information about renting off-campus, the university states that ‘every room used for sleeping should have its own smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.’”
“There was a fire call at about 7:45 p.m. Friday and afterward, the truck was brought back to the station and plugged in by another firefighter, former Livermore Falls firefighter Brian Harbaugh said.
It runs on gasoline but needs to be plugged in for battery purposes for lights and sirens and other equipment, he said.
Harbaugh went to the station at about 10 a.m. Sunday to pick up paperwork so firefighters could get paid. He discovered the department pickup truck running and there was a high level of carbon monoxide concentration in the building. He estimated the truck had been going for about 36 hours.”
“The 911 call was initially a medical call for a child who was unconscious…When firefighters and EMTs responded, the monitors on their bags alerted them to carbon monoxide…There is no carbon monoxide detector in the building, officials said.”
“…Simply put, any house sold or leased after Jan. 1, 2023, will need to have at least one carbon monoxide alarm in the home.
In addition, the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Council adopted an amendment to the state’s residential building code requiring carbon monoxide alarms to be installed at the same time a whole home, standby generator is installed. That change also goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.”
Seven Bowling Green Junior High students and an employee have become ill after elevated levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the school’s kitchen.
The following communication was sent to families of students at Bowling Green Junior High.
“Earlier today, an employee in the cafeteria became ill, which was determined to be caused by elevated levels of CO2 in the kitchen. The entire school was checked by the Bowling Green Fire Department, and determined concerns were isolated to the kitchen and cafeteria area. Upon further investigation across the school, seven BGJHS students indicated they were experiencing symptoms, and were also evaluated by medical staff…”
“Eric Engle, an Army veteran and employee of the Corps, died of carbon monoxide poisoning on June 29 while operating a gas-powered pressure washer in a tunnel at the dam. The Corps said this week Engle’s death has prompted five separate investigations.”
“A total of five investigations ensued including the Clearwater County Sheriff’s office, Clearwater County Medical Examiner, Federal OSHA, USACE Safety Investigation Board and an investigation under Army Regulation 15-6.”
“Three people were transported to a hospital and three others were treated at the scene after being overcome by carbon monoxide Saturday at an Enid church.
According to Enid Fire Department Deputy Chief Chad Mantz, the six people were overcome at the church at 1724 W. Broadway, where propane burners or cookers were being used in the basement.”
“He was not the first guest to fall ill in Room 205. Just when Pawel Markowski thought that nothing could shake him more than nearly losing his life to a carbon monoxide leak at a hotel in Catoosa, Okla., his lawyer sent him the Fire Department’s report.
‘We have previously responded to this exact room number two other times in the last two weeks,’ Denus Benton, Catoosa’s fire chief, wrote….”
“…a total of 24 patients were treated after the incident at Stonegate Lodge on East Van Buren Avenue. Ten were transported to hospitals, including four who were airlifted. One patient initially transported to Eureka Springs Hospital was flown out of that facility in critical condition…”
“In Arkansas, hotels are not required to have carbon monoxide detectors. Eureka Springs fire officials could confirm Tuesday whether the Stonegate Lodge had them.”
“The Hampton Inn in Bow was evacuated Tuesday night after elevated levels of carbon monoxide triggered alarms.
Bow Fire Chief Eliot Berman said the incident, which began shortly before 8:30 p.m., was traced to a problem with one of the hotel’s furnaces.
Guests spent a couple hours outside while fire department personnel went through the building. “We had to evaluate five or six individuals, but nobody was transported to the hospital,” the chief said. “Everybody was fine.”
Berman said the furnace involved was shut down, and firefighters ventilated the building.
Once carbon monoxide levels returned to acceptable levels, guests were allowed back inside shortly before 11 p.m., he said.”
“A broken exhaust fan led to a carbon monoxide build-up Monday night in a Southwest Side underground parking garage, authorities reported.
Fire crews responded to the apartment building in the 90 block of Kessel Court on reports of carbon monoxide alarms sounding, Madison Fire Department spokesperson Cynthia Schuster said in a statement.”
OLEAN, NY — Washington West Elementary School was evacuated Wednesday after firefighters found two construction workers in “obvious distress with levels of carbon monoxide present in their blood,” according to a press release from the City of Olean Fire Department.
Firefighters responding to the scene determined that six people were suffering from carbon monoxide. Two were taken to Olean General Hospital; four were treated at the scene.
According to the press release, the incident was caused by propane powered construction equipment that was operated in an area with minimal ventilation.
“When the unresponsive employee woke up, they were tested for carbon monoxide. Due to the level being so high, they were flown to a hospital in Baltimore. The conditions of those involved are unknown at this time.
According to Chief Ulrich, the store was going through renovations overnight. The crew was using propane-powered construction equipment that was not proper for the environment…”
“Ashley Wilson couldn’t shake the worry of her son getting carbon monoxide poisoning at school.
It may not be the first concern that comes to mind when a parent thinks about their child at school, but for Wilson, the worry was warranted.
In February 2020, her family suffered carbon monoxide poisoning after the boiler in their former apartment was leaking. There was no detector installed to indicate the presence of the colorless, odorless, potentially deadly, gas.
She would try to reassure herself that the schools were safe but decided she needed to reach out after she heard news about 17 people being sent to the hospital after carbon monoxide levels reached dangerously high levels in a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee dorm.
To Wilson’s surprise, the Appleton Area School District told her there aren’t detectors in any of the school buildings.
State law doesn’t require them in schools, but it does require them on every level of Wisconsin homes. According to the state Department of Health Services, carbon monoxide poisoning sends about 500 Wisconsinites to the emergency room each year…”
“Families of three men who died of carbon monoxide poisoning while camping at the 2021 Faster Horses Festival are suing the event promoter and Michigan International Speedway, alleging the campground was overcrowded, unsafe and improperly monitored and inspected…Live Nation and the speedway, which owns the land, did not monitor or supervise the campsites, making the area unfit and dangerous for campers to safely use generators, alleges the pending lawsuit, filed in April in Lenawee County Circuit Court.”
“Fire Department records show Catoosa Firefighters had been called out to the same room in the same hotel for the same reason, two times in the previous two weeks. Pawel Markowski says his coworker saved his life. Markowski didn’t show up for a business meeting which isn’t like him, so his coworker went to the Hampton Inn and Suites and convinced the staff to unlock Markowsi’s room and they found him on the floor unconscious.”
“…rescue crews were called…for an individual experiencing seizures… When crews arrived and got about 20 feet to 30 feet inside the building, carbon monoxide detectors they wear began activating… A total of 35 people were exposed to carbon monoxide and 10 were taken to the hospital…”
“When paramedics arrived on scene Saturday night, the carbon monoxide meters affixed to their medical bags immediately went into high alert upon entering the lobby of the theater…discovered levels of anywhere from 250 to 350 parts per million…Paramedics then called for additional fire personnel to arrive on scene in order to determine the cause of the carbon monoxide leak and the remaining patrons at the venue were evacuated. Eventually, officials reported finding the apparent culprit: three gas-powered generators in a partially-enclosed, outdoor service area that were being used to provide additional power needed for the band’s performance…”
“Dozens of residents evacuated the building after receiving a notification from their carbon monoxide detectors or hearing about the leak from neighbors, but residents said they did not receive orders from The Statesman or fire officials to leave their apartments.“
“Nearly two dozen workers were taken to local hospitals after elevated levels of carbon monoxide were found inside the offices and warehouse of NFI Interactive Logistics. Cedar Rapids fire crews were called just after 2:30 p.m. to the scene at 3110 Prairie Valley Ct. SW, for reports of carbon monoxide alarms going off inside the large warehouse and its attached office space.”
“This past week we were called to a (newly purchased) residence…and found an unconscious male in the basement and his wife upstairs, both suffering what was obviously carbon monoxide poisoning… Going into that house to rescue the two people was a danger to the police officers, as well,” (Fire Marshal) Overy said. “They arrived ahead of us and got the two out…(fire and gas officials) are asking once again that the council pass an ordinance requiring certification for anyone installing gas appliances in the city of Evanston.”
“Staff and inmates at the Franklin County Detention Center were forced to evacuate the on Saturday afternoon after a corrections officer reported smelling fumes in the building…investigation officers found the boiler room full of smoke…boiler was turned off after carbon monoxide was detected.”
“The plaintiffs are alleging gross negligence by three companies for a 2021 incident in which the improper use of welding equipment indoors exposed at least 20 people to toxic levels of carbon monoxide.”
“Tampa Fire Rescue said crews were sent to the Oaks at Riverview Apartments on North Florida Avenue after a man in his 50s was found unconscious in his unit…Captain Henry Williams with Tampa Fire Rescue says the generators were brought in the day prior, after a small fire broke out in one of the units…Water damage from the sprinklers forced management at the complex to get a 3rd party restoration company to bring in generators. Those generators were left on.”
“The cause of it was (that) one of the water heaters for the business had a mechanical failure and it was venting into the mechanical room itself which was then getting into the rooms of the residents”
More on this hotel CO incident in Lakeland, Florida. According to the video portion of this story, hotel was not required to have CO detection installed due to its age.
“Baltimore City fire officials say dozens of residents were evacuated from four apartment buildings in Northwest Baltimore after extremely high levels of carbon monoxide were detected…”
A followup story on the incident response to a family of 4 suffering CO poisoning in their home during last year’s ice storm in Texas…
“‘…this isn’t about an individual — it’s about a systemwide practice…if you’ve discovered this incident, and it probably isn’t the only one that they have, what are you going to do to prevent it from happening in the future?’”
“’I didn’t even have time to get anything. I’m still wearing slippers,’ freshman Aidan Gentile said.
He was in the study lounge and said he noticed having difficulties breathing.
Gentile said he saw students fainting earlier in the week.
‘I had a lot of pain in my chest, which is like a common symptom of like anxiety, so that’s what I assumed it was. And I also was really light-headed like earlier in the weekend,’ student Alayna McKim said.
University Housing staff said they became aware of the problem when students came to the front desk complaining of headaches, dizziness and other symptoms.“
“Sacramento Fire Department Public Information Officer Keith Wade said around 5:30 p.m. Friday residents at an apartment building at 999 Arcade Boulevard called PG&E for an issue. Once at the apartment, PG&E ascertained that the wall heater had a carbon monoxide build-up.”
“Fire officials said Friday they had no knowledge of carbon monoxide detectors going off that evening, but that doesn’t mean the facility doesn’t have them.
In addition, Fire Marshal Brock Weliver pointed out the facility, with a “big, wide open space, isn’t necessarily required” to have detectors to comply with the International Fire Code.
Fire officials had no guess as to how long people had been exposed, a major factor in determining health risk.“
“In their own timeline of events, Richmond Public Schools said those vital alarm panels never called the Richmond Alarm Company because 8-0-4 was not recently added after Verizon changed operations requiring local calls to include the area code.”
“…deputy fire marshal found a business with elevated carbon monoxide levels, during a follow-up inspection…The high levels of CO were due to an improperly vented portable heater…”
“Levels as high as 314 parts per million were detected inside the Hippodrome…ground floor level was 182, and a reading of 232 ppm was found in the women’s bathroom.
The first call to the scene…came for an unconscious person at 9:05 p.m.
…emergency personnel are on standby for such an event, but are not inspecting for hazards like a gas.
…Asked about who has the responsibility of ensuring a safe environment, (fire chief) said the event sponsor or the building owner.”
“Marysville Fire investigators and other area officials conducted a follow-up investigation on what caused the hotel pool area to fill with carbon monoxide on January 28 making several people sick.”
“Emergency crews were called at 5:13 p.m. Feb. 3, to the Hidden Valley Apartments near State Street and E. Eisenhower Parkway for a report of significant levels of carbon monoxide detected in one of the buildings…source of the carbon monoxide leak was determined to be a severely corroded exhaust pipe for the building’s water heater…”
“The Duxbury Fire Department was called to Alden Elementary School, at 75 Alden Street, for a possible gas leak. The Alden School custodial staff made the call after noticing an odor in the gym…elevated Carbon Monoxide levels were found in a mechanical room in the gymnasium due to a malfunction with the HVAC system…”
“Before 5:30 p.m., the Marysville Fire Department received a call about several people, including a 2-year-old girl, unconscious at the Hampton Inn on Square Drive.”
“…it appeared there were sparking wires underneath the manhole, potentially caused by salt that was put down as a result of the weekend snowstorm…FDNY officials say firefighters evacuated a building containing six apartments…Several other buildings, including a laundromat across the street, also had to be evacuated.”
“Workers had set up heaters inside and outside the building to deal with sub-zero temperatures. CFD says “several of those heaters malfunctioned,” pumping CO into the structure… They found a number of construction workers still on the job, unaware of what was happening… they detected levels at 540 parts per million…”
Update on the source of the CO that caused the deaths of 7 members of a Minnesota family in their home last month:
“The two possible sources of carbon monoxide in the home were a van in the garage and the unit’s furnace. Further blood tests did not show the presence of blood cyanide, which would have indicated the vehicle was the source.”
If you own a rental, please ensure your tenants understand the lifesaving importance of maintaining CO alarms, especially if permanently installed CO hazards are onsite.
“Clare Castleman, a tenant at The Palladian at Fairhope, called maintenance after one of her alarms activated after running errands on March 25, 2019.
Maintenance determined a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector was the source of the alarm and then removed all the detectors from Castleman’s unit.
Hours later, Castleman died after being found unresponsive in her apartment.“
“News 4 wanted to know if fire and carbon monoxide detectors were inside the home. MDHA said they are responsible for having detectors on the property.
“The maintenance technician says that when he entered the unit that he noticed that the smoke-carbon monoxide detectors had been disabled and removed from their typical space…”
“Firefighters discovered dangerous levels of carbon monoxide at the Icenter Friday afternoon while responding to an unrelated medical call… portable carbon monoxide detectors attached to firefighters’ gear alerted them of the issue when they walked into the building… Salem’s building inspector will follow up Monday to find out why detectors installed at the Icenter were not sounding when first responders arrived”
“…alarms had been going off, but residents were advised by management that the alarm batteries were being changed and there was no issue within the building,” police said.
“Crews were called to the facility…due to a forklift malfunctioning inside the building, causing carbon monoxide levels to reach 500ppm…four people all got sick within a fifteen minute period…”
“On December 22 Sharon Cottrell got a phone call from her daughter, Danica Gilb, with a terrifying story. Two days earlier, on Monday, Gilb heard beeping noises coming from the first and second floors of her building. She tried to contact the property management but never got a response…”
“The victims — two parents, their three children, the father’s brother and the parents’ niece — were discovered in the house in Moorhead shortly before 8 p.m. Most were in their beds…
There are two known sources of carbon monoxide in the home, which was rented — a furnace in a room in the garage and a van in the garage…
There was a carbon monoxide detector in the home, but it was inside a laundry room cabinet with the battery removed…”
“Family members said the two men, ages 20 and 25, went out into the garage around 7 p.m. to listen to music…they had a vehicle running in the garage while they were listening to music.”
JAMAICA, Queens (WABC) — Five people, including a child, were hospitalized after a carbon monoxide incident in Queens.
It happened around 1:30 p.m. on 198th Street and 115th Avenue in Jamaica.
Firefighters and FDNY responded to the scene, where they discovered elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the building and in neighboring buildings.
Investigators say there were no working carbon monoxide detectors throughout the entire house. The buildingwas also illegally subdivided and carved into separate units — a deadly combination.
Neighbors two doors down fro the home fled, and say a number of children were put at risk, breathing in the colorless, odorless carbon monoxide.
“It’s really scary… it was just a panic,” said Justin Henderson.
First responders were originally called to the home after a resident lost consciousness. Paramedics treated five people and rushed them to Nassau County Medical Center.
“…the initial call indicated an unresponsive toddler. A fire official said the child required advanced life support care in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.”
“The most frequent question we have received is ‘why don’t the residential buildings at Miami have carbon monoxide detectors as normally is required by building code?’ Under state building and fire codes, if there is no carbon monoxide produced in a building OR if a carbon monoxide source is sealed and exhausted directly outdoors without entering sleeping quarters, monitors are not required.”
“The Nov. 18 carbon monoxide leak that forced the evacuation of Miami University’s Hillcrest Hall dormitory “violated the trust” students have in the university to provide a safe living environment, the school’s Institutional Response Team said in a campus-wide email Thursday, Dec. 2.”
“Gail Amundsen and Murray Church, longtime residents of Point Roberts, were discovered dead in their home on Calder Drive on Thanksgiving Day evening.
Newly constructed, the couple had only moved into the house on August 9. According to the fire chief and WCSO, while the house had fire detectors, no CO monitors or alarms were found. Since 2011, all newly constructed homes in Washington state must have CO alarms installed adjacent to all bedrooms and on all floors.”
“It is the basic responsibility of our university to protect its students, and when a randomly-purchased $15 carbon monoxide detector does more to save lives than an administration, that means something needs to change around here.”
“Before lunch could be served, four ICE detainees and one kitchen staffer had fainted and were rushed to the hospital for carbon monoxide inhalation. Two of the victims were later airlifted elsewhere…one of the exhaust fans on a piece of kitchen equipment was not activated…”
Bedford, VA – “According to the Bedford Fire Department, the leak began in the kitchen from a gas appliance with the pilot light blown out.” No mention of CO alarms.
“A jury on Wednesday found the R.I. Airport Corporation was negligent on July 1, 2015 when carbon monoxide entered the office of the two Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) workers near a Southwest Airlines gate at T.F. Green.”
“Firefighters with @MetroWestAmb on scene of a carbon monoxide emergency in the 1000-block of SE Walnut. 6-patients assessed for exposure. Safety reminder: Do not run gas-powered equipment inside your home or business to prevent dangerous build-up of CO gas.” And make sure you have CO alarms installed to provide an alert in case someone doesn’t know this information or forgets.
“The firefighters wear carbon monoxide detectors on their medical bags…When the firefighters walked into the store, those CO monitors went off…(Fire Chief) said the incident proved how important it is to have a CO detector in homes and businesses.”
“It’s hard to accept the fact that we showed up in such a quick fashion, yet we were unable to save even one life in this building,” Georgetown Fire Chief John Sullivan said…Officials believe the dogs likely died due to smoke inhalation. Hardt wishes the pet resort had a sprinkler and carbon monoxide system in place that could have possibly saved the dogs lives.”
“In late 2019, air circulation problems shut down five operating rooms at the Fanny Allen campus, which conducted about 30 outpatient surgeries a day.
Carbon monoxide was found in the ventilation system, causing dizziness and nausea in staff. A similar issue in the building’s inpatient rehab area displaced 14 patients. After months of investigations, a brief attempt to reopen the OR and inpatient rehab unit and yet another poisoning incident in November 2020, Fanny Allen closed permanently last fall.“
Is CO in the air at your workplace? Your doctor’s office? The hospital where you’re having surgery? Is there CO detection installed to alert staff before you become injured?
“Fire personnel located the room with the greatest concentration of the gas at 150 ppm. They discovered a detached exhaust pipe from a natural gas-fired hot water heater and determined the carbon monoxide…was being released in the room…If CO alarms were not present or not operating properly this incident could have surely proven fatal.
SHAES (South Haven Area Emergency Services) withheld the name and address of the hotel to preserve anonymity.”
Bremerton, WA: “Thirty-three sailors assigned to the USS Michigan submarine were taken to the hospital Monday following potential exposure to exhaust from the boat’s diesel engine during maintenance work at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.”
“About 40 people were evacuated from the Comfort Suites in Freeport Tuesday morning after the gas-fired water heaters malfunctioned and caused a carbon monoxide leak. Firefighters arrived on scene around 9 a.m. A hotel maintenance worker noticed the leak Monday afternoon, but didn’t call 911.”
“The occupancy of the building has been deemed a serious hazard due to the installation of five natural gas-fired fuel water heaters that are not vented to the exterior of the building, according to the violation notice.
This results in the exhausting of carbon monoxide into the occupied building in quantities more than those deemed hazardous or fatal to human life, according to the notice. The heaters were installed without application, review, approval or inspection.“
MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — Authorities responded to a carbon monoxide leak early Tuesday morning at the Westin Governor Morris…firefighters from the five Morris Township stations and Madison worked to locate the source and evacuate guests. Officials located readings on all floors and secured issues with the boiler…”
“Imagine suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, reporting it, and then being fired for seeking medical attention. Toxic work environment? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says yes.”
“At around 9:53 a.m. fire officials said that everyone in the 9-story Crown Plaza Hotel, located at 138-10 135th Avenue by JFK airport was being evacuated, as carbon monoxide levels reached 100-200ppm throughout the whole building — a “dangerous” level according to safety experts. One EMS member was hurt during the evacuation, and taken to Elmhurst Hospital…”
York County Fire & Life Safety Responds to a Gas Leak at the Embassy Suites Hotel—Mooretown Road in Bruton Area of York County
Late last night, personnel from the York County Department of Fire & Life Safety along with automatic mutual aid units from the James City County Fire Department and the Williamsburg Fire Department responded to a report of a gas leak at the Embassy Suites, located at 3006 Mooretown Road in the Bruton area of York County. Upon arrival, personnel entered the structure and discovered high levels of carbon monoxide and natural gas. Crews began to evacuate the hotel’s occupants. Additional medical resources were requested and a total of six patients were evaluated and/or treated at the scene, one of which was transported by medic unit to a local hospital. Crews secured the gas and ventilated the structure. The Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue responded specialized ventilation apparatus/equipment. Virginia Natural Gas responded to the scene and the cause of the situation is under investigation.
Upon completion of extension ventilation efforts and air quality returned to normal levels hotel guests and staff were allowed to return to the building. All fire/rescue units have since cleared the scene.
Questions can be directed to the York County Department of Fire & Life Safety at 757-890-3600.
“State officials already planned to demolish the building when the leak occurred. Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Director Judy Bradshaw told the Register that the building did not have a carbon monoxide detector, even though the Legislature had passed a law the previous summer requiring state buildings to have them. Bradshaw said at the time that she was not aware of the law.”
Houston, TX – “In January 2019, a worker at a Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Waller alerted their employer that exposure to carbon monoxide made them ill and asked the employer to call an ambulance. In addition to refusing the worker’s request, the employer allegedly threatened to terminate the employee. After going to the hospital, the worker was terminated.”
This. Is. Awesome. Truly remarkable all that Nikki Zellner has accomplished in getting CO detection requirements in place to protect kids in her home state of Virginia…all in the short span of one year.
“The other reason to applaud the new legislation is that its smooth passage through the General Assembly is an encouraging story that shows what can happen when our system works the way it’s supposed to. People became aware of a problem and spoke out. Responsible local journalists helped spread the word. And politicians responded with a sensible measure to make schools and day cares safer and avoid preventable illness and death.”
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