Investigation report on the student death in December at Evergreen State College found that:
âAlarms on the CO detectors went off during the early-morning hours of Dec. 11, but instead of being treated as a real CO event, investigators said those alarms were treated as a faulty detector and/or a fault of the fire alarm system.â
ââŠthe CO came from a significant leak from a newly installed tankless water heater in the inside the utility room of that unit.â
ââŠa lack of training and/or understanding of the functions of the fire alarm/CO systems by Evergreen employees and residence maintenance personnel.â
Carbon monoxide (CO) is often referred to as the âsilent killer.â This colorless, odorless gas is released in the exhaust from fossil fuel burning engines in cars, trucks and other machinery. But, it can also be released from poorly working furnaces or equipment inside your building, which can lead to CO poisoning of anyone in the facility.
The risk of CO poisoning is especially high during the winter, when heating systems are frequently running. Organizations can lessen the risk by having a qualified professional inspect all furnaces, gas stoves and fireplaces annually to ensure they are working properly and have adequate ventilation. This professional should also inspect flue pipes for rust holes, poor connections and blockages.
Other ways to prevent CO poisoning include:
Install CO alarms â Even equipment that has been regularly checked by a professional can unexpectedly malfunction. When this happens, itâs vital to minimize damage by catching the problem quickly. Organizations should install CO alarms throughout their facility. If people are living in the building, an alarm should be installed in every bedroom. CO detectors should be regularly tested and replaced every five to seven years.
Never use generators indoors â The exhaust from internal combustion engines contains high levels of CO. If you use gas-burning generators for emergency power during an electrical outage, they should always be placed at least 10 feet away from the building.
Use kitchen vents whenever the stove is on â Kitchen stoves are the root cause of many CO poisoning cases. To ensure proper ventilation, organizations should always run the exhaust fan when cooking and open a nearby window to allow fresh air to circulate.
Clean out fireplace flues â If your building has a fireplace, be sure to clean out the flue before every use to prevent it from becoming clogged with soot and debris. A restricted flue can trap carbon monoxide inside a building.
Donât leave vehicles idling in a garage or outside for more than a short time â Because vehicle exhaust contains CO, never idle a vehicle near the buildingâs air input system. If you do, you run the risk of introducing CO into the system and putting everyone in the building in danger.
Never use gas-powered tools in confined spaces â Like vehicles and generators, gas-powered equipment produces CO from the exhaust. In a tight space, the CO can build up and put the operator in danger of CO poisoning.
Be aware of the warning signs of a CO problem so you can quickly respond and remedy the situation. Signs include:
Streaks of soot around fuel-burning appliances.
Excess moisture on windows, walls or other cold surfaces.
Excessive rust on flue pipes, pipe connections or appliance jacks.
Orange or yellow flames (rather than the proper blue color) in the combustion appliances.
Small amounts of water leaking from the base of the chimney vent or flue pipe.
Damaged or discolored bricks at the top of the chimney.
Of course, itâs most important to protect the people in your building if a problem is detected. Know the signs of CO poisoning, which include:
Flu-like symptoms.
Tightness across the chest.
Shortness of breath.
Keep in mind, any organization that maintains a building has an obligation to protect those inside the facility from CO poisoning â if it doesnât, the negligence can lead to major injuries and costly lawsuits. By taking every precaution, however, you may have a viable defense in court.
âA search and rescue effort began shortly after the explosion, with rescue crews working to restore ventilation, search for survivors and recover the dead. Four days later on the morning of March 6, five more miners escaped from the mine, surprising rescue crews when they walked out, according to the Department of Mines report. The report states the miners said they had made several attempts to escape over the previous days, but were unable to do so due to the afterdamp â a toxic, carbon monoxide-rich gas â filling some of the tunnels.â
âThe past 20 years have seen more than a thousand injuries from carbon monoxide leaks in U.S. hotels, with 32 people, including seven children, dying â thatâs according to the non-profit Jenkins Foundation, which tracks carbon monoxide incidents at hotels.â
âA bill from Sen. Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) and Rep. Darren Jernigan (D-Nashville) would require carbon monoxide monitors to be installed in every room where children are cared for in licensed childcare agencies. The installation would necessitate the carbon monoxide alarm be listed according to the International Building Code and the International Fire Code.â
ââŠfirefighters responded to a call for a medical emergency at the market at 8:14 p.m. on Feb. 22 and detected carbon monoxide inside the buildingâŠcarbon monoxide is suspected in the manâs death and also in causing a first responder to pass outâŠâ
âThey want that underground fire put out sooner rather than later, saying they fear for their health and their homesâŠ.âItâs a lot of fumes coming up from the colliery, especially when it rains. We have intense fog. Weâre getting carbon monoxide in our homes. Itâs recommended to open your windows. Itâs higher outsideâŠââ
âA new CPSC report shows that the upward trend in non-fire carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning deaths from consumer products, including portable generators and heating appliances, continued for the 11-year period from 2010 to 2020. The estimated number of non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer products under CPSCâs jurisdiction rose to an all-time high of 254 in 2019. Although there were fewer estimated deaths, 211, in 2020, that number otherwise exceeds all earlier years in the period.â
âMaricel Martinez, 47, a Spanish teacher at St. Albert the Great Catholic School in Huntingdon Valley, her husband, Jorge Cardona, 56, a cleaner at Springfield Township High School, and their daughter, Angelina Cardona, 12, were found unresponsive inside their Northeast Philadelphia home on Thursday, February 15âŠMartinezâs brother told NBC10 she had gone to the hospital on February 11 because she was experiencing headaches, and a neighbor said they saw Jorge Cardona trying to fix something in the chimney prior to his death.â
Fire Service Leaders Promote Alarm Installation, Testing, and Maintenance
âBe sure you have working CO alarms on every level of your home,â Chief Andrews said. âTest them every month and change the batteries twice a year. Like smoke alarms, they also need to be replaced eventually â usually after five, seven, or 10 years. Check the manufacturerâs instructions or look up the make and model online.â
âMore than 100 calls about possible carbon monoxide exposure occurred shortly before Christmas 2022 in New Albany, Clarksville and Jeffersonville, WDRB News has previously reported. At least four people were taken to the hospital.
State regulators claimed CenterPoint failed to follow federal regulations when it improperly heated propane at its Jeffersonville facility, resulting in too much propane in the gas distribution system. The investigation found that the company didnât have controls in place to prevent a mixture that âcould cause improper combustion in consumer appliances.ââ
Denise was scheduled to work at the clinic in early February, but she never showed upâŠthe 67-year-old was found unconscious in her home because of carbon monoxide poisoning. On Feb. 3, she died in the hospitalâŠitâs possible the carbon monoxide detectors werenât working.â
âThe county said in a letter sent to employees that two employees âbecame ill and were transported to the hospitalââŠOther employees told WRAL Investigates they and their coworkers have been suffering for weeks, if not months, from nausea, headaches, fatigue and even fainting in the office. They learned in mid-January of the possible elevated level of carbon monoxide in their workplace, and believe that may be to blame. They fear the issue may have started months prior.â
âWalter Cranford died of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning on Jan. 17 during the Ice Storm where a power outage paralyzed Cottage Grove for an extended amount of time. Walter had brought a portable propane heater into his room to stay warmâŠWalter was one of 15 deaths in Lane County who died of carbon monoxide poisoningâŠâ
At least one member of the Deadwood Recreation Center was hospitalized for several days due to carbon monoxide poisoning that was the result of a gas leak on Thursday.
Hilary White said she smelled gas when she walked into the weight room in the basement of the rec center for her normal workout. She didnât think anything of it, until she started to feel sluggish and disoriented. Then, another man who was exercising at the same time asked if she felt sick like he did, and he suggested that they both get out of the building.
Two people are dead and one is in the hospital from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning near Princeton, about 50 miles north of Minneapolis.
The Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a house in Princeton Township shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday for an initial report of a possible overdose.
When they arrived, they found one person dead in an upstairs bedroom, along with a semi-conscious dog. The man was identified as 27-year-old Marcos Larson of Princeton.
Deputies also found a woman and cat, both deceased, in another location in the house. The womanâs name has not yet been released.
The woman who called 911 was taken to a Princeton hospital. Her condition wasnât available.
A fire and rescue crew determined there was a lethal amount of carbon monoxide inside the home.
Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton said from the early investigation, it appears the occupants were using propane heaters and space heaters run by a gas-powered generator to heat the home. He said the house had no power or running water.
Burton said the tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers of carbon monoxide.
âIt is never safe to run combustion engines inside of an enclosed space,â Burton said. âMake sure your home is always equipped with working carbon monoxide alarms to alert you to dangerous levels.â
Sammi Baldwin said last month while cleaning an office space, she was overcome with carbon monoxide but didnât realize it until it was almost too late. She is sharing her story of survival.
Monday, February 12th 2024, 5:41 pm
By: News 9, Deanne Stein
During the winter months, carbon monoxide poisoning calls go up. This year, EMSA so far, has responded to 17 carbon monoxide calls in the metro with four people transported to the hospital. One woman, who narrowly survived is sharing her story of survival.
Sammi Baldwin said last month while cleaning an office space, she was overcome with carbon monoxide but didnât realize it until it was almost too late. âI just knew I was crawling for my life,â Baldwin said.
Listening to the 911 call from January 12, Baldwin says she knows sheâs lucky to be alive. On the call, you can hear her gasping and choking for air. âI mean I was seconds away from not being here,â she said. âI could not get any air.â
Baldwin says she was cleaning for several hours when she had a headache and became dizzy. Thinking her blood sugar was low, she said she ate a piece of chocolate, but the symptoms worsened. âI got to the doorway and my legs went numb they went completely paralyzed, I collapsed right at the door,â Baldwin said.
She managed to call 911. âIt was the generators during the ice storms, so we had generators going and there was, unfortunately, no airflow,â she said.
According to EMSA, the calls are more prevalent during the winter because people are using more heating sources like generators and space heaters. âItâs very quick, very lethal,â said Colin Roy, district chief with EMSA. âIt can kill you pretty quick, most people will find themselves unresponsive before they even realize there’s a poisoning atmosphere that they’re in.â
Roy says the gas sneaks up on you because itâs odorless, colorless, and tasteless. âOxygen really doesn’t stand a chance against carbon monoxide when it comes to getting on to those red blood cells and passing around the blood to our bodies,â Roy said. âSo, their entire body is starting to shut down and the respiratory track is trying to keep up to keep more oxygen going but really they’re just breathing in more carbon monoxide.â
What helped Baldwin was crawling to the door, but she still struggled. âIÂ knew I was dying,â she said. âI was okay with that, I wasn’t angry or upset, I was just really sad I couldn’t say goodbye to my husband or kids.â
Baldwin didnât have to, she survived when paramedics arrived in time. Now, she wants to warn others. âThe fact that Iâm still here and I shouldn’t be, I know that it was God,â she said. âLife is way too short and it’s very precious, I think people take it for granted, wake up and think they’re going to be here, you don’t know, you never know.â
EMSA says anything that combusts a fuel is going to put out carbon monoxide, even wood-burning fireplaces. So, if you have symptoms of dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, nausea, or vomiting, get outside and call 911.
EMSA also stresses that every home and business should have carbon monoxide detectors. They’re available at any hardware store, and many models cost less than $15 or $20.
âââŠTurns out that we had a vent leaking from our boiler, down in the basement. So, we cleared the rec center and took some of our patrons, as well as our staff to the emergency roomâŠââ
The facility reopened on Jan. 5, after Cheektowaga code enforcement inspectors completed inspections, but carbon monoxide detectors were heard again Saturday.
“âDue to our recently updated Olympia Ice Resurfacer again having emissions issues, and in the interest of safety, we have decided to remain closed for Sat. Feb 10 at Holiday Rinks. We are waiting on Olympia to provide a replacement machine,â Holiday Twin Rinks posted to its Facebook page around 1:15 p.m.
âAlso, we have placed an order for 2 Electric ice resurfacers last month and are waiting to hear back on delivery times.ââ
ââThis morning one of our officers was on patrolâŠHe noticed a car backed up against the fence, running.
We were informed that they had car issues with a muffler, so thatâs eventually what lead to the carbon monoxide leaking inside of the vehicle while they were sitting thereâŠââ
ââŠevidence at trial showed that there were no obvious sources to explain elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the home. Mr. Way purchased products known to react together to create carbon monoxideâŠâ
âKeith Sherk was just 21 years old when he died from CO poisoning. It happened 20 years ago, but to his father, the pain is as fresh as if it happened yesterday.
âIt was all accidental,â recalled Sherk. âIt could have been prevented with just one carbon monoxide detector in his little room.â”
âAn official from Lansing Fire Department said workers had been using gas-powered power washers in the basement of the building, causing dangerously high carbon monoxide levels in the building.â
Related to uncontrolled exposure to potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide at the Idaho Cleanup Project.
On January 31, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Enterprise Assessments, Office of Enforcement issued Enforcement Letter (WEL-2024-02) to Idaho Environmental Coalition, LLC for deficiencies in implementing DOEâs 10 C.F.R. Part 851 Worker Safety and Health Program requirements related to uncontrolled exposure to potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide at the Idaho Cleanup Project.
“The event occurred on January 10, 2023, when workers were operating a
gasoline-powered welder generator inside the NRF-601 high bay. Earlier in the
day, IEC approved a work order change (WOC) for work order number 597489 to
move the generator from outdoors to inside the high bay. The WOC included a
warning that the generator produced harmful emissions that constituted a
respiratory hazard. In response to the WOC, workers established a safety
boundary around the generator, inserted a flex pipe into the exhaust stack, and
passed the flex pipe through the wall of the building to the outside…
…IEC did not report the CO exposure on the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration Form 300 or in the DOE Computerized Accident Incident
Reporting System database due to a misinterpretation of occupational exposure
reporting requirements.”
âThe money will be used to cover the cost of a Washington State Patrol investigation into the death of the student, the cost to relocate students into other housing, and to make repairs to campus housingâŠâ
“Authorities say they believe carbon monoxide is to blame for the death of a man found on Norcross Lake in Minnesota. He was found unresponsive in his ice shack…recommend having good ventilation in your ice shack, as well as a carbon monoxide detector.â
“Two men were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning near Spicer Wednesday. At 1:20 p.m. fire and ambulance crews were called to a home on Indian Beach Road, where two men had passed out while doing concrete work in the basement of the home…”
âOur crews entered the building. At one point they ended up getting a hit or found carbon monoxide. I believe they were about 80 parts per million that they found on that. And then, from there, we started to make sure the building was evacuated,â said BFD Deputy Chief Brooks Martin.
Management source interaction with tenant, âWe have a lot of construction going on right now.â They had these bags that were over top of the monitors to keep them away from debris. He asked me, âDid you remove the bag over the monitor?â âWell, thatâs probably why theyâre going off because you removed the bag off the monitorâŠâ
Ontario employer OJB Industries Inc. has been fined $120,000 after a workplace fatality.
Following a guilty plea, the employer must also pay a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act, to be credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
A worker was fatally injured due to carbon monoxide exposure following a fire in an oilâlubricated air compressor.
The incident took place on May 2, 2022, when a worker was sandblasting a metal turret in the abrasive blast room of the Companyâs Breen Drive facility.
At the time the worker was wearing a NOVA 2000 respirator/helmet, gloves and coveralls. The respirator was supplied air from an oilâlubricated compressor located in a storage container at the back of the building.
Workers noticed that the sound of sandblasting stopped and then discovered the oilâlubricated compressor was on fire. Several workers then went to get fire extinguishers to put the fire out.
One worker entered the abrasive blast room to retrieve a water hose to try to extinguish the fire. That worker found in there another worker who had been performing the sandblasting. The second worker was unresponsive on the ground with a respirator/helmet still on but disconnected from the air supply line.
Emergency Medical Services attended the scene and pronounced the worker dead.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development found that the immediate cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to their findings, at the time of the incident, the oilâlubricated compressed air line did not have an inâline continuous carbon monoxide monitor with audible and visual alarms that activate at 5 parts per million.
Also, the RPB Nova 2000 respirator/helmet that the worker was wearing does not purify air or filter contaminants, and that a carbon monoxide monitor must be used.
âThe Company therefore failed to ensure the compressed breathing air system was equipped with a continuous carbon monoxide monitor and properly calibrated, and so endangered the life of the worker,â said the Ontario government.
WHITE EARTH, Minn. (Valley News Live) – One man has died after carbon monoxide poisoning built up in the ice house he was fishing in.
The White Earth Police Department responded to a welfare check on Norcross Lake, northeast of White Earth, on Saturday, January 20. Officers located an unresponsive man inside a fish house and EMS on scene determined he was deceased.
Investigators say 37-year-old Nathan Ray of Borup, Minnesota, died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
âPropane heaters use oxygen from the air for combustion, and release CO as a byproduct. Without proper ventilation, CO levels can build up inside your ice shelter without you knowing and can quickly cause illness or death,â first responders said.
White Earth Police remind everyone to take precautions when ice fishing. They say every ice shelter should have a carbon monoxide detector, be sure to test the detector regularly, and keep vents clear.
“Some families at Canyon View Middle School said they havenât yet decided if they will send their student back to school Wednesday when in-person classes resume.
The school went virtual for two days following multiple reported carbon monoxide exposures on campus last week. Officials said all of the schoolâs carbon monoxide detectors will be tested while students are at home…It looks great on paper, thereâs nothing there, everythingâs testing 0, but three days, people have tested for CO poisoningâŠâ
Canyon View Middle School will hold remote learning this week while the building is tested for carbon monoxide, days after it was evacuated due to suspected exposure.
SPENCER, IA (KTIV) – One person was hospitalized after Spencer Fire Rescue were called to the Holiday Inn in Spencer, IA because of high carbon monoxide levels Saturday.
According to Spencer Fire Rescue, they were called Saturday night to assist Black Hills Energy. Five customers had to be evacuated.
A faulty heating system was identified as the potential problem according to authorities.
Officers learned the man was visiting family at the home, but was not allowed to bring his dog inside the house. Family members said the man would normally open the garage door.
Members of the Grace Fellowship Church in Fort Thomas are mourning the loss of a mother following a youth group retreat this weekend.
Kentucky State Police say two women from the church were on the retreat with a youth group at The Bluegrass Palace in Langley, Kentucky, when they were found unresponsive.
Kara Hanks, a mother and one of the leaders of the youth group, was dead by the time she arrived at the hospital, according to Floyd County Coroner Greg Nelson.
Troopers said the women were taken to the hospital for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Nelson said he couldnât confirm a cause of death until after the toxicology report and an autopsy were finished.
Fourteen people in New Haven were hospitalized Wednesday for carbon monoxide poisoning.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said a person was found unconscious on the street in the area of 73 Howe St. They were taken to a local hospital, where medical personnel determined they were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Officials went to the scene and learned that the high levels of carbon monoxide were coming from a construction site at a Yale-owned building where crews were sawing a concrete floor using a propane saw. Fire officials said the building had inadequate ventilation for the tools used.
âTypically, when you use such equipment, youâll have carbon monoxide monitoring and good ventilation,â Elicker said. âThere was no carbon monoxide monitoring going on on-site.â
New Haven Fire Battalion Chief Greg Carroll said, âSome of our meters went into overloadâ when firefighters first arrived.
âIt was about 350-400 parts per million, which are dangerous levels, so we quickly went through the building and evacuated it,â Carroll said.
Elicker said ten construction workers and four employees at Yaleâs campus security office next door had been taken to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning.
The person who was found unconscious was transferred to a hospital in New York for further treatment and is in critical condition. The other 13 are said to be in stable condition.
According to a construction official, carbon monoxide levels in the area have decreased.
In a statement to News 8, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had opened an inspection of Alberca Construction Company LLC following the hospitalizations.
âDuring the inspection, OSHA will gather whatever information is necessary to determine what happened and if the employer is in compliance with OSHA standards,â the spokesperson said. âIf the inspection identifies violations, OSHA could issue citations and propose penalties for the employer.â
OSHA has up to six months to complete the inspection.
New Haven Fire Chief John Alston said the incident reminds companies and residents to use carbon monoxide detectors.
âAs we hit this cold snap, I know the mayor has been having our cold emergency meetings just to advise people to be very careful when youâre sealing up your houses and turning on these heating systems to make sure you have a CO detector.â
The city has issued a work stoppage order for the construction site as officials continue investigating.
A Laguna Beach, California, couple filed a lawsuit against Sun Valley Co. last month, alleging that four members of their family suffered carbon-monoxide poisoning while on resort property in December 2022.
George Sumner and Lauren Sumner are asking for compensation of more than $10,000 for alleged negligence and âsignificant bodily injuries,â according to their initial complaint, filed in 5th District Court by Boise-based attorney David Comstock.
According to the lawsuit, the couple booked a guest cottage near the Sun Valley Pavilion for themselves, their two minor children and George Sumnerâs parents for Dec. 21-27, 2022. The two-story house at 152 Baldy View Loop was built in 1950 and is heated by a basement gas furnace, Comstock wrote. The type of heating system was allegedly not specified in the vacation listing, he said.
Blood tests administered to three members of the Sumner family in the St. Lukeâs Wood River emergency room on Dec. 23, 2022, allegedly showed that Lauren, Georgeâs mother, Melinda, and Melindaâs husband, Steven, had carboxyhemoglobin levels between 13-16%, the lawsuit states.
Levels above 2% for nonsmokers and 9% for smokers indicate carbon-monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People with underlying heart conditions may die at an exposure level above 10%, and levels over 50% are lethal, according to the CDC.
The Sumnersâ complaint stated that, upon arriving at the cottage on Dec. 21, 2022, the family realized that the heat had not been turned on and ate dinner at the adjacent Sun Valley Lodge while waiting for the home to warm up. The children slept in twin beds on the second floor while adults slept on the first floor that night, Comstock stated.
However, on the morning of Dec. 22, 2022, both children allegedly woke up feeling âunwellâ and suffered vomiting, âstomach aches, headaches, and nauseaâ over the next few hours, the complaint stated. Lauren Sumner and George Sumnerâs mother, Melinda Grubbs-Sanders, also allegedly awoke with headaches that morning, Comstock stated.
Lauren and Melinda stayed behind in the cottage to rest and supervise the children that morning, according to the lawsuit. Lauren allegedly called St. Lukeâs for health advice on Dec. 22 and was advised to âtry over-the-counter supplemental oxygen and electrolyte tablets,â Comstock wrote. These measures allegedly improved the older childâs health, but the younger child âwas still nauseous and vomiting into the eveningâ as temperatures outside dropped to around zero degrees, Comstock stated.
When the Sumner family awoke the next morning, Dec. 23, âmany of their symptoms had grown worse,â the lawsuit stated. Melinda Grubbs-Sanders allegedly âawoke with the same headache and almost lost her balance in the shower after experiencing severe lightheadedness,â and Steven Grubbs-Sanders âalso awoke feeling lightheaded and struggling to catch his breath,â according to the complaint.
Because the younger child was still vomiting and she still had a headache, Lauren stayed behind in the cottage on Dec. 23 while her husband and their older child left to go skiing, the lawsuit stated. While showering on Dec. 23, Lauren allegedly âgot so lightheaded she almost faintedâ and lay on the shower floor and bathroom floor because she could not walk, Comstock stated.
When George returned with the older child, he allegedly âfound Lauren severely disorientedâ and, suspecting a gas leak, opened the bedroom windows âto get fresh air into the house,â according to the lawsuit. He allegedly called a front-desk resort employee, who arranged for a maintenance worker to stop by the cottage about two hours later.
The lawsuit states that the maintenance worker arrived with a carbon-monoxide detector. The device allegedly went off as soon as the worker entered the cottage. Another HVAC technician hired by the resort allegedly entered the cottage with a different carbon-monoxide detector, which also began beeping, according to the lawsuit. The latter technician allegedly turned off the furnace, opened up another door and instructed the family to exit âimmediately,â the complaint stated.
The technicianâs concern allegedly prompted the family to seek treatment in the emergency department at St. Lukeâs Wood River Medical Center in Ketchum the night of Dec. 23, 2022. Lauren, the younger child, Melinda, and Steven each required supplemental oxygen at the hospital to remove CO gas from their systems, the complaint stated.
âBlood tests showed that Lauren had an elevated heart rate, and her carboxyhemoglobin level was 15.3 (percent),â Comstock wrote. Melindaâs carboxyhemoglobin level was allegedly 13.1% at the time she was tested, and Stevenâs slightly higher, at 13.6%. The child allegedly had âsimilar or worse carbon monoxide poisoningâ than Lauren, the lawsuit said.
The Sumner family also sought hyperbaric oxygen therapy on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 to treat its alleged carbon-monoxide poisoning, according to the lawsuit. Comstock did not specify where that treatment took place.
The family left Idaho on Dec. 29, but the family membersâ symptoms âpersisted or worsenedâ after returning home, Comstock stated. Lauren Sumner allegedly continued to experience âanxiety, chest pains, shortness of breath and brain fog,â while Melinda Grubbs-Sanders continued to experience âshortness of breath, brain fog, and unsteadinessâ and the younger child ânausea, headaches, blurred visionâ and emotional disturbances, the complaint said.
The four affected family members allegedly sought out âmore hyperbaric oxygen treatments, brain scans, echocardiograms, MRIsâ and neurological exams after their vacation in Sun Valley. âIt is unknown if all the effects of their carbon-monoxide poisoning have been fully discovered or resolved,â Comstock wrote.
The civil lawsuit ultimately alleges negligence, accusing Sun Valley Co. of breaching its duty of maintaining the guest cottage âin a safe conditionâ and failing to inspect its premises âfor conditions or hazards that could pose a threat to guests.â The Sumner family is therefore seeking âeconomic and noneconomic damagesâ for âsevere emotional distress ⊠accompanied by physical manifestations.â
âPlaintiffsâ injuries have caused and continue to cause great mental and physical distress, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life,â the lawsuit states. â[Plaintiffs] ⊠will continue to incur medical expenses and other expenses related to their injuries for some time into the future. The exact amount of said expenses is unknown to the plaintiffs at the present time but will be proven with particularity at the time of trial.â
The family has demanded a jury trial with âno less than 12 people.â As of press time, Comstock had not responded to requests for comment and Sun Valley Resort declined to comment
NEVER run a gas powered generator inside your home or other enclosed space – they produce lethal levels of carbon monoxide. Always have a battery powered CO alarm nearby when a generator is running.
“Because the apartment building had lost power, crews determined the family had been running a generator indoors and cooking inside the apartment with a propane camp stove.”
âMore than one hundred kids and teachers were evacuated from Prairie Heights Elementary School Friday because of heightened levels of Carbon Monoxide found in the buildingâŠâ
âI was working at the Harborview Emergency Room that evening, and in addition to caring for the usual mix of patients as well as some injured from the storm, medic units began bringing in entire families who were suffering from the same symptomsâŠâ
“The three people were found dead inside their trailer home on Indian Hill Drive.
Investigators say electricity was turned off to the home several weeks ago, so the owner put a generator out. But, investigators said the park doesn’t allow generators, so they put the generator in the back bedroom.
The victims were asleep in the front of the home when the fumes started to spread.
Investigators said one of the victims didn’t show up for work and when a family member came to check on them it was too late.
The victims have been identified by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office as David Vertis Dye, 53, of Crittenden; David Vertis Lee Dye, 21, of Crittenden; and Aubrie McGoveny, 20, of Covington.”
âBoth mothers claim the daycare did not have carbon monoxide detectors at the school, and the leak was detected when another parent with a detector walked into Elm Hill, and the alarm went off.â
SANDY, Utah â A Smithâs grocery store was evacuated on Sunday morning after a group of firefighters were grocery shopping and noticed an unusual smell of combustion.
At 9:18 a.m., a crew from the Sandy City Fire Department was grocery shopping at 10305 S. 1300 East. Sandy City public affairs said a worker at the store mentioned the smell to the firefighters and they immediately began taking readings for carbon monoxide.
The crew detected high levels of the gas and alarms began to ring. The city said 30 people were evacuated out of the building and there was no complaint of illness or injury.
The energy company arrived shortly thereafter at the store to shut down furnaces and clear exhaust vents.
Sandy City gave a statement to the press reminding Utahns of the importance to routinely check for possible leaks during the cold season. A recent trend in carbon monoxide leaks in Utah includes a church in Monroe and a preschool in Draper.
âIn light of the recent gas leak incident during services at a church in Monroe, Utah,â the statement read.â This serves as a reminder of how important it is to keep vents clear and furnaces in healthy working condition this time of year. CO is odorless and can be extremely dangerous when exposure levels are high and lengthy.â
âThe Burger King in Exeter Township closed after an off-duty UGI (utility company) employee sensed something amiss when he stopped in Sunday afternoonâŠHe decided to grab his own meter from home and ended up finding elevated levels of carbon monoxide.â
All businesses with CO sources should have CO detection installed to protect customers and staff
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.
SMYRNA, Del. (CBS) — Carbon monoxide can quickly make people disoriented. Fortunately for this Delaware student, she was able to put her watch to work.
“It was extremely scary,” Natalie Nasatka said.
Nasatka is starting the new year grateful to be alive.
“I ended up losing consciousness,” she said.
She’s describing a bout of carbon monoxide poisoning that happened in her Smyrna, Delaware apartment.
“I was feeling extremely exhausted,” Nasatka said. “My vision was getting blurry.”
Before she passed out, Nasatka reached for her Apple Watch. She hit the SOS button, putting out an emergency call to 911.
“When I heard the firefighters yell out ‘fire department’ and they yanked me out of bed, I just started crying and saying ‘I want to live. I want to live,'” she said.
Carbon monoxide is a gas that has no color, odor or taste.
The silent killer claims more than 400 people a year and sends 50,000 Americans to the emergency room.
“It is a lack of oxygen that affects the body. There are certain things become irreversible, the heart can be damaged. Once the brain has been without oxygen for too long, there can be irreversible symptoms,” Dr. Lynn Farrugia, an emergency department physician, said.
The early warning signs include dizziness, confusion and vomiting.
“I’ve been riding waves of emotions,” Nasatka said.
Nasatka, who’s a student, said she was lucky that help arrived quickly and she was revived in an ambulance with oxygen.
“The carbon monoxide was confirmed because the fire department monitor read 80 parts per million in the apartment, which is extremely high,” she said.
She thinks the gas leak came from a faulty heater, which is one of the leading causes for carbon monoxide poisoning in the winter.
Plus, there was no detector in the apartment, something she admits she should have had for herself and her pet, who survived because firefighters opened a window.
“I saw my cat and I just picked her up and said ‘Our job here on Earth isn’t done yet,'” she said.
Experts say all homes should have carbon monoxide detectors, they’re actually required by law in some states.
Monroe, Utah ⹠Nearly 50 people were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning Sunday after the toxic gas was detected in a south-central Utah meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
According to the Sevier County Sheriffâs Office, emergency medical teams were called to the Monroe East chapel for two separate patients. The first was for a 4-year-old girl who was having breathing problems. She had been sick earlier in the week, so it was believed that she was experiencing lingering symptoms from that illness. About an hour later, emergency crews were called to the church again for a man who was feeling sick.
Later that day, family members reported that they all had headaches when they returned home from the church. The Monroe Fire Department then went to the building, where crews detected high levels of carbon monoxide. The building was evacuated.
Officials said that throughout Sunday evening, multiple people became sick and went to Sevier Valley Hospital in nearby Richfield to seek treatment. A church spokesperson said 54 people in total reported symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Of those, 49 were treated, and 22 of them needed to be transferred to other hospitals for further care.
A church statement said the leak was caused by a malfunction in the buildingâs heating system.
GALESBURG, N.D. â Hundreds remain without power from this week’s ice storm and it could be for a few more days before power is restored.
One couple who lost power for a couple of days thought they were being extra cautious as they fought to keep the power going to their home.
They still nearly lost their lives.
Alan Paulson was dodging melting ice chunks from trees as he started the cleanup in his yard.
“Scary, probably shouldn’t be under here,” he said as chunks of ice fell.
That wasn’t nearly as scary as what Alan and his wife Sheri experienced Thursday.
“I thought we were safe,” he said.
After losing power, the couple set up a generator outside their garage in Galesburg to help keep their furnace and other appliances running.
The generator was placed about a foot from the garage door, which was closed except for where the power cords ran through.
The exhaust was facing away from the house.
“Probably a quarter-inch on each side,” he said referring to the gap under the garage door where two power cords were running.
It was just enough room for the wind to blow carbon monoxide from the generator back into the garage.
“The furnace probably blew it in around into our house,” he explained.
After having it running for five hours, the couple shut off the generator before bed for safety.
They admit they also took their plug-in carbon monoxide detectors out of the sockets because they kept beeping since the home was without power.
The next morning, the couple woke up with headaches and nausea.
“If we had run that generator all night we would probably not be here,” said Sheri Paulson.
After airing out their home while waiting for first responders to come check for possible carbon monoxide, firefighters still detected levels inside their home at 170 parts per million.
They should be below 10 parts per million.
Carbon monoxide in the human body should be around 3%.
Alan’s was around 40% and Sheri’s around 30%.
The couple spent five hours in the hospital receiving oxygen.
“They said we were very lucky, so that’s why we chose to be honest about this with people and share our story,” said Sheri.
What keeps playing through Alan and Sheri’s minds is the fact that their 2-year-old granddaughter was supposed to come over for the day on Thursday.
“We don’t even want to imagine if she had been with us,” Sheri said.
A couple lucky to be alive is now using the opportunity to share life-saving tips, namely installing battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors and using caution when placing generators.
“A generator should be 25 to 30 feet from your house and should not be near any doors or windows,” Sheri said, citing CDC guidelines.
“On Friday, December 22, Bob, Barb, and Tim Modzeleski were found dead in their Alpine Township home, following a carbon monoxide leak that sprung from a boiler.
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) â Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, readings showed a dangerous amount of carbon monoxide in the air, resulting in the Holiday Twin Rinks being evacuated.
Still, one parent told News 4 that his team practiced here 24 hours before, experiencing the same symptoms, not thinking much of it until Wednesdayâs news.
âMy son slept well past 10 a.m. the next day, so itâs really scary. Looking back on what happened, we really didnât know, and we just wouldnât have pushed our players as hard if we knew that there was carbon monoxide poisoning,â said Southtown Stars coach Frank Bogulski.
Not only was his son experiencing symptoms on Tuesday, but that night, Frankâs resting heart rate was 100, it normally sits at 60.
The next day upon hearing the news of the rinkâs evacuation, the dots connected, and he headed to the ER.
âMy son and I did go to the Mercy Ambulatory Care Center, which was wonderful. They saw us quickly tested our blood and found we did have elevated carbon monoxide, even though it was the next day, and my heart rate was still elevated we were okay thankfully,â Bogulski said.
The visit to medical professionals also had another benefit of calming his sonâs nerves through the scary situation.
âI just felt more scared than anything. Today, I feel way better. I think thatâs also the fact that I got blood work done and just made sure that I was okay,â Jack Bogulski said.
In total, over 100 people sought hospital treatment from various hospitals according to Cheektowaga police. The rink initially planned to re-open Thursday but instead opened briefly on Friday morning.
The Friday opening did not last long, as carbon monoxide was detected again, leading to the buildingâs immediate clearing and closing for the day. They will remain closed through Jan. 1 to ensure there are no other issues.
A step Frank says makes him and his family feel safe to lace up the skates at Holiday Twin Rinks again.
âMy advice to my team would be to make sure that we have assurances from not only the owners of the arena and the managers of the arena, but also our public officials and fire departments,â concluded Bogulski.
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) â Multiple people were hospitalized after what was originally believed to have been a gas leak at a local ice skating rink Wednesday.
Cheektowaga police and Forks Fire Department responded to Holiday Twin Rinks at approximately 6:30 p.m. for reports of a strange smell and children presenting symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, police said.
Carbon monoxide is defined by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as âa deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gasâ âproduced by the incomplete burning of various fuels.â
Forks fire crews confirmed that there were âextremelyâ high levels of carbon monoxide, and the building was immediately evacuated, according to police. They said Wednesday night the building was being ventilated by the fire department, and that state and county officials had been made aware of the situation.
Multiple ambulances responded to the scene to evaluate and transport people to surrounding hospitals. Cheektowaga police told News 4 that at least two children and one adult were hospitalized.
News 4 received reports from parents that multiple children were experiencing headaches and some were throwing up.
One mother shared a photo of her son, who playing hockey at Holiday Twin Rinks on Wednesday night, receiving oxygen. She told News 4 they found six times the normal amount of carbon monoxide in his blood.
âThe team at Oishei Childrenâs Hospital activated very quickly with an all-hands-on-deck response, seeing 23 patients in an approximately two-hour timeframe,â Kaleida Health said. âFortunately, all were treated and released. Was a phenomenal team response in the emergency department with physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, registration, EVS, and security all working together to get the patients evaluated. All of this occurring, mind you, in a major spike in cases of COVID-19, RSV, and the flu. Itâs a testament to the workforce and providers at Childrenâs Hospital.â
Kaleida said 13 other patients were treated at DeGraff Medical Park, Buffalo General Medical Center and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. According to Cheektowaga police, 111 people sought treatment at various hospitals Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Several were treated for carbon monoxide exposure, but none were formally admitted.
The ice rink announced on Facebook that they would be closed on Dec. 28 while repairs were made, and later shared an update Thursday morning saying they had been cleared to open by National Fuel.
Despite an anticipated 3 p.m. opening Thursday, Holiday Twin Rinks instead opened briefly on Friday morning, but carbon monoxide was detected again, leading to the buildingâs immediate clearing and closing for the day.
They will remain closed through January 1 to ensure there are no other safety issues.
National Fuel also shared an update on Thursday morning, saying an improperly working furnace in the snack bar area caused the high levels of carbon monoxide to build up over several days. Holiday & Leisure Rinks described the problem as âa faulty heat exchanger in our lobby heater.â
âThis was not a gas leak, as reported, but a carbon monoxide build-up due to an improperly functioning piece of heating equipment,â National Fuel said, later noting that itâs now up to the facility owner to make repairs and âremediate the faulty equipment.â
Holiday & Leisure Rinks said itâs taking action.
âThis heating item has been disconnected and is being fully replaced today,â they said Thursday, also sharing that National Fuel is checking all existing gas lines for issues.
âWe are obviously disappointed that our CO2 detector failed us during this terrible event,â they said. âToday we have a company coming in to install ALL NEW detectors to ensure this does not happen again. We are very sorry that our customers in the building had to experience this event and we hope that all of our hockey families are feeling better!â
Every year, âabout 170 peopleâ in the U.S. die from carbon monoxide produced by non-automotive consumer products,â the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
Holiday & Leisure Rinks says it will cover any out-of-pocket medical costs for people who were there Wednesday night.
Gov. Janet Mills revealed the state Center for Disease Control has received multiple reports of possible carbon monoxide poisoning since Monday’s storm.
The Mills administration released tips on generator safety as many Mainers continue to deal with extended power outages.
In the release, it’s noted that 16 reports of carbon monoxide poisoning have been made in eight separate incidents due to improper generator usage.
According to the release, the poisonings were not fatal, but resulted in visits to emergency departments in the state.
According to the CDC, a single portable gas-powered generator can produce as much deadly CO gas as 100 idling cars.
“If you are using a generator or another source of heat, please be extra cautious and know the steps you can take to protect your family. With rising reports of carbon monoxide poisoning, we want Maine people to take every necessary precaution,” Mills said.
Those experiencing CO poisoning may have symptoms similar to the flu, including:
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Chest pain
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Confusion or altered mental status
Depending on a person’s exposure to CO, poisoning can cause coma or death in a matter of minutes.
When running a generator, remember to place it outside and at least 20 feet from windows or doors and follow all safety instructions provided for the equipment.
It’s suggested you place a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near each sleeping area in your home. Those detectors should be checked regularly.
If you believe you have CO poisoning, leave your home, call 911 and do not go back inside the building until a fire department clears it.
CLARENDON HILLS, IL â A woman who said she was at the Hinsdale Golf Club a couple of weeks ago spoke Monday about what she saw during the reported carbon monoxide incident.
During a Clarendon Hills Village Board meeting, resident Ann Scott was speaking out against a proposed mandatory retirement age for firefighters, which passed later that night.
She then referred to the work of firefighters from Clarendon Hills and other fire departments who responded to the incident, which occurred about 10:30 p.m. Dec. 9.
During dinner, Scott said, “a woman’s head fell on the table.”
She was then taken to the floor.
“There were two other dinner parties going on at the same time. There was a doctor in the house,” Scott said. “There were two other people on the floor.”
Scott said she was so grateful for the firefighters, who conducted a carbon monoxide test.
“They got her immediately taken care of,” Scott said. “The carbon monoxide was so high that we had to get out of there quicker than a wink.”
She said she wanted to maintain that level of fire service in Clarendon Hills and surrounding towns.
In response to a Patch inquiry last week, acting Fire Chief Dave Godek said in an email that 10 people were sickened at the golf club, two of whom were taken to the hospital.
He said the club had a malfunctioning furnace, which appeared to be the source of the carbon monoxide.
The majority of the people felt better when they were moved to fresh air and declined to be taken to the hospital, Godek said.
The club, he said, had no carbon monoxide detectors. It now has temporary units installed while it figures out what type of system it should get to meet its needs, he said.
Messages for comment with the golf club, which is in Clarendon Hills, have not been returned. Its general manager, Mark Jablonski, is away from the club until later this week, a woman answering the phone said Tuesday.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – On Saturday, the Kansas City Fire Department reported a triple fatality carbon monoxide call.
According to KCFD, a carbon monoxide call was made around 6:50 a.m. concerning a residence near Fuller Avenue and 10th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
When crews arrived, they found three people dead and one in critical condition. The surviving victim was taken to an area hospital.
All four victims are males between the ages of 20 and 40, but no other identifying information is available at this time.
KCFD is investigating the incident and believes it may have been caused by using a generator indoors, but this has not been confirmed.
This incident is just blocks away from a similar incident in November, where three men were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a generator running indoors. KCFD warned that using generators in this manner is extremely risky.
âIf youâre going to run any sort of gas-powered engine indoors or in a confined space whether itâs a generator or power washer, yeah, youâre playing a dangerous game,â battalion chief Michael Hopkins said at the time.
KCFD has issued safety tips on how to protect your home from poisonous gas.
“Campus officials said a contractor working in the Modular Apartments housing area of campus responded to carbon monoxide alarms earlier Monday, the college said in its statement. It wasn’t clear if this was the area where the affected students lived.
The McLane Black Lake Fire Department responded to the scene and conducted carbon monoxide testing in the impacted area on Monday evening, the school said.”
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Colorado Springs Mountain Metro Transit bus drivers are raising concerns to KRDO13 Investigates about their safety after a driver passed out on the floor of his bus during a medical emergency.
Driver Gary Turks believes the medical emergency was connected to carbon monoxide poisoning after bloodwork from the hospital showed high levels of the gas in his blood that night.
On November 8, Turks said he complained to multiple supervisors about smelling fumes on two buses he drove that day. He tells KRDO13 Investigates he was told he could either drive the buses or go home without pay.
KRDO13 Investigates obtained video from inside the bus, showing Turks driving during his ten-hour shift, even as multiple passengers also noticed the strong smell.
“It smells like lighter fluid or something right around here,” said a passenger on one of his last routes.
Turks said he doesn’t remember finishing his last route or dropping passengers off. Video shows him driving in the middle of the road and calling dispatch to say he was lost and didn’t know where he was. He eventually comes to a stop at the side of the road and slumps over the steering wheel before throwing up on the floor of his bus.
The video shows him trying to leave his seat without realizing he is still buckled in. He said he started to hallucinate, thinking he had crashed the bus and killed his passengers. Once he figures out how to leave the bus, he walks outside, looking for his passengers.
“I vaguely remember seeing the bus flipped over on its side and watching these tires spin,” Turks said. “That’s how bad I was hallucinating. I remember crying for the passengers. I couldn’t find them. I think that’s probably the most gratifying part, that I didn’t kill anybody.”
He eventually makes his way back to the bus and passes out on the floor for more than 15 minutes before a supervisor arrives.
“You okay? What’s going on?” Said the supervisor. “I told him about the fumes,” Turks is heard mumbling on the video. “The fumes? Gotcha, gotcha,” the supervisor responded.
Turks was then taken to the hospital, where he says doctors told him they found high levels of carbon monoxide in his blood. According to hospital documents, the tests show he had a value of 5.3 on a range of 0 to 5.
According to Mountain Metro, drivers are not city employees but contracted through a company named TransDev. Mountain Metro also tells KRDO13 Investigates the maintenance of their buses is also contracted out to TransDev.
“The feeling around work is, especially with our supervisors, that our drivers are crying over non-issues,” Turks said. “But these are very big issues.”
KRDO13 Investigates reached out to TransDev by phone and email about the concerns but we never heard back.
“It could have killed him and it could have killed a passenger,” said Courtney Turks, Garry’s wife and also a Metro bus driver. “He could have killed somebody just crossing the street. We almost lost him. He’s a father of five and we were married 20 years, and literally one night at work almost took him from us.”
The driver’s union president, Margie Sullivan, said multiple drivers have complained about leaking fumes on old buses for years. Turks claims the problem is only on old buses built from 2006 to 2009, but he said management at TransDev still forces drivers to use them.
“They need to take those old buses and rid them,” his wife said. “They need to be gone. You are putting your drivers in danger. You’re putting your passengers in danger every day.”
After this incident, Mountain Metro Transit tells KRDO13 Investigates it took the old buses out of service and tested them for carbon monoxide.
“The safety of our drivers and riders is a top priority for Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT). When we were notified of a driver illness possibly related to carbon monoxide (CO) leaks in our older buses, MMT pulled the buses that were of concern out of service. Third-party safety specialists were brought in to do thorough safety evaluations with a focus on carbon monoxide in the cabin of the buses, with multiple CO detection devices. CO levels detected in the buses were well below the World Health Organization acceptable standard of 9-10ppm for no more than 8 hours, with much higher exposures being required to pose a major health risk. The highest reading that was recorded on any of these buses was 1ppm.
There are a few other minor repairs such as coolant leaks that were found during the inspections that are being corrected; however, no major exhaust leaks were found. MMT is looking into the possibility of putting CO detection devices in these buses to make sure that levels continue to be safe for drivers and passengers.”
OLYMPIA, Wash. â One student is dead, and two others are injured after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at Evergreen State College Monday evening.
âThis is a tragedy, and we grieve for our students and families,â said Evergreen President John Carmichael.
A contractor working in the Modular Apartments housing area of the campus responded to carbon monoxide alarms earlier in the day on Monday, according to campus officials.
Campus police were called after a student residence manager was not able to contact a few students. An Evergreen police officer broke down their door around 8:30 p.m. and performed emergency CPR on the students.
âThe alarms were going off for a couple of minutes. The police showed up, then the fire department showed up,â said Kris Pennington, a college senior who lives next door. âThen they pulled someone out on a stretcher and it looked like they were trying to do CPR on them for a while.”
Two students and the responding officer were taken to local hospitals. Campus officials said their symptoms were “consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning.”
The officer was hospitalized, but released Tuesday morning, according to Evergreen Police Chief David Brunckhurst.
The Thurston County Coronerâs Office (TCCO) responded to reports of a death at the college at 9:45 p.m. Jonathan Rodriguez, 21, from Dupont was found dead when they arrived, according to TCCO. The suspected cause of death is carbon monoxide poisoning, but TCCO will release an official cause after their investigation.
Washington State Patrol (WSP) is now trying to pinpoint the source of the toxic fumes.
âWashington State Patrol is looking into it. We’re going to find that out. That’s going to be the focus of our investigation,â said WSP spokesperson Chris Loftis.
Pennington said the alarms frequently trigger and speculated on one possible source.
âFrom what Iâm aware of the only source of carbon monoxide would be the water heaters,â Pennington said.
McLane Black Lake Fire Department also responded to the scene and did carbon monoxide testing in the impacted areas. Campus officials contacted all Evergreen students in nearby campus housing to make sure they were safe Monday night.
âWe’re all in shock. This is devastating news because the safety and care of our students is our top priority,â said Dexter Gordon, the executive vice president at the college. âWe are grieving with our families, especially the bereaved family, and then the families of all of our students affected and then our staff who are our first responders.”
âA study that analyzed 265 patients referred to just one hyperbaric oxygen therapy center for CO poisoning from 2015 to 2018 found that 22% (58 people) were associated with hookah, and that hookah-associated cases increased year after year. In the last two years of the study period, hookah was the most frequent source of CO poisoning.â
âTrace levelsâ of carbon monoxide were found Tuesday in a Hood College dorm that is now closed for the rest of the semester, the school said.
One student said she was diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Smith Hall, a dorm next to the chapel at Hood, was evacuated twice since Friday after problems with a boiler, according to students in the dorm.
The Hood College website says 135 students live in the dorm.
Smith Hall was first evacuated in the early morning hours of Friday when a boiler was emitting smoke, students said. They were allowed to return Friday night.
However, the college evacuated the building again Tuesday morning after it âbecame aware of one student who was diagnosed with carbon monoxide exposure,â Mason Cavalier, a spokesman for the college, wrote in an email.
âSome trace levels of carbon monoxide were found in a couple of spaces in the building. These levels were slightly elevated, but within a range that is deemed acceptable,â he wrote.
He did not provide details on what caused the elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
Sarah Campbell, a spokeswoman for the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services, wrote in a text message Wednesday that Fire and Rescue responded and found elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the boiler room. Fire and Rescue did not take anyone to the hospital.
Kris Ventura, a freshman social work major, and Victoria Rego, a freshman biology pre-veterinary sciences major, said they went to Frederick Health Hospital with other friends Tuesday morning to get tested for carbon monoxide exposure after the college recommended students do so if they were concerned.
Both said they had been experiencing flu and cold symptoms, as well as lightheadedness and headaches, since Thursday.
By later in the day Tuesday, many of the residents had gone to a hospital to get tested, either in Frederick or at hospitals in their hometowns, Ventura said.
A lot of people posted updates on the social media app Snapchat, Ventura and Alix Parks, another Smith Hall resident and freshman social work major, said.
According to Cavalier, the college worked with FHH to arrange for students to get tested for carbon monoxide exposure if they wanted to. To the collegeâs knowledge, no students who were tested were admitted to the hospital, he said.
The school also is not aware of any students with carbon monoxide poisoning, because the test results were confidential, he said.
At the FHH emergency room, Ventura said, a doctor told her that her blood levels showed mild carbon monoxide poisoning. She was put on oxygen, and given medication for nausea and the headache, which cleared her symptoms.
Rego said a doctor told her she had carbon monoxide exposure, but it wasnât bad enough that she needed to be put on oxygen.
Both Ventura and Parks said another student had carbon monoxide poisoning and went to a hospital where he lived. The News-Post was unable to reach the student to corroborate that account.
Parks said on Wednesday that her symptoms, most notably a headache, began Tuesday morning.
Parks said she spent the weekend at a relativeâs house because she didnât feel safe in Smith Hall. She returned to the dorm before the Tuesday morning alarm.
She went to FHH later on Tuesday night because her headache was worsening.
Because the emergency room was busy, she was put on oxygen first, then later had her blood tested, she said. She said that when her blood was tested, there werenât elevated levels of carbon monoxide in her blood.
Parks and Ventura are currently living at their homes in Frederick or with family friends in Frederick. Rego, who is from Massachusetts, is staying at the Clarion Inn until her flight on Dec. 13.
She said sheâs there with about 24 other students who need to stay for the short-term. Students who were planning to stay on campus over winter break were moved to different dorms, she said. The college is trying to figure out transportation and food for the students until they need to leave.
Cavalier wrote in an email that students staying on campus were provided with alternative accommodations. Asked about the studentsâ account of their hotel stays, Cavalier said he could not immediately get information about that.
The first evacuation, on Friday, happened around 3 a.m., students said. A boiler was emitting smoke.
Students were moved to the Whitaker Campus Center while authorities went through the building to determine whether the building was safe to reenter.
However, it wasnât until hours later â around 8 a.m. â that students received a specific update, that they had a small window of time to grab enough things in their rooms for a day, they said.
After a hectic night and no place to stay or sleep, Ventura said, she was seeing her dormmates find anywhere they could sleep.
âYou would walk in the library and there … would be people sleeping in chairs. There were people sleeping on tables wherever they could find,â she said.
They were allowed back in dorms Friday night, the students said. They had been unable to access their rooms and belongings for 16 hours, Rego said.
But on Tuesday morning, the fire alarm in the dorm went off again, around 7 a.m.
The college set off the fire alarm âout of an abundance of cautionâ after learning that one student was exposed to carbon monoxide, according to an email from the college to students.
Students said the college reported that the boiler was malfunctioning, but has not provided more details.
After the second fire alarm on Tuesday, the college closed the dorm and told students it would be closed until the spring semester, which starts in January.
With finals ongoing, the college said in its emails that faculty and staff were notified of the studentsâ situations, and that it would provide alternative spaces for those who wanted to stay on campus, such as other residence halls.
PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Autopsies obtained by WECT reveal new details about how carbon monoxide poisoning killed three marines found dead in a car in Pender County earlier this year.
Tanner J. Kaltenberg, Merax C. Dockery and Ivan R. Garcia were found on Sunday, July 23, at the Speedway in Hampstead.
Per the autopsies, there was no obvious sign of suicide, foul play or drug use.
âThe car was noted to be âloweredâ and it was noted that the exhaust pipes were not connected and were rusted. It appeared that exhaust from the vehicle would have been released under the passenger cabin of the vehicle and not at the rear bumper. The vehicles [sic] key was noted to be in the on position. It was also determined the air conditioning was on at the time fuel ran out,â Garciaâs autopsy states.
The autopsy also notes that gas station footage showed the vehicle parked at the Speedway at 3 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, and âno one got in or out of the vehicle for the duration.â
When making vacation plans, most travelers include a safety plan to protect themselves against things like being stranded or getting mugged. Very few consider the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning in their hotel or Airbnb. There is an easy way to protect you and your loved ones from the hidden danger.
The past 20 years have seen more than 1,000 injuries from carbon monoxide leaks in U.S. hotels, with 32 people, including seven children, dying â thatâs according to the non-profit Jenkins Foundation, which tracks carbon monoxide incidents at hotels. While smoke alarms are normally required in every hotel room by law, there is no such law for carbon monoxide detectors, nor are they required by Airbnb, which has seen 10 carbon monoxide deaths in Chile and Mexico in the past five years. What makes the gas so dangerous is that itâs odorless and colorless. The most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning in hotels are boilers and heaters used to warm swimming pools and water for an entire wing, according to Dr. Lindell Weaver, who specializes in carbon monoxide poisoning. âCarbon monoxide can go through drywall very easily,â Dr. Weaver said. âIt can move through crevices and little holes. So, indeed, people often have been poisoned, sometimes quite a distance, remote, from the poisoning or carbon monoxide source.â
Dr. Weaver encourages travelers to buy a portable carbon monoxide alarm. They cost anywhere from $30 to $100, theyâre small, and they donât take up much room in your luggage. Packing at least one will protect you and your loved ones from the dangers of this deadly gas.
Itâs crucial to seek medical treatment as soon as you start feeling sick. If youâre staying at a hotel or resort, there may be a nurse or medical professional on staff who can assess your condition.
KNIGHTDALE, N.C. (WTVD) — Workers and animals at Wake Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care had to evacuate the building Monday due to a carbon monoxide poisoning scare.
It happened around 2 p.m. at the building located on Tandal Place in Knightdale near the intersection of Interstate 540 and Business 64.
ABC11 crews learned a generator associated with construction happening near the building was operating near the back door of the hospital. Exhaust smell from the generator caused someone to call the fire department.
First responders arrived and help evacuate the building out of an abundance of caution.
No humans or animals were seriously harmed, but they all could be seen gathering in the parking lot outside the building as first responders worked the scene.
âThese coal transport and confined space entry incidents highlight the inherent dangers of the process. To prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of the crew, it is important to understand the risks associated with coal cargoes and the hazardous gases that can be produced.â
LIBERTY, Mo. (KCTV) – One person was sent to the hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning after a scare Sunday morning at a Taco Bell in Liberty. Two other people were treated for CO poisoning, but they did not require a trip to the hospital.
It happened at the Taco Bell between Elizabeth Street and Orchard Avenue off 291-Highway. Liberty FD said the carbon monoxide levels were considered dangerous.
âI was told we were standing in fatal amounts of carbon monoxide,â said Drew Wilmeth, who is the opening shift lead at the Taco Bell location. âI was told that 500 [parts per million] is fatal in minutes, and we were standing in 285.â
An employee reached out to the fire department Sunday morning after staff members had complained of symptoms over their last two shifts. When Liberty FD arrived on scene and started measuring the carbon monoxide levels, they told the restaurant employees to leave immediately.
âThe levels were in the mid-200âČs [parts per million],â said Liberty Assistant Fire Chief, Christopher Young. âThatâs unsafe.â
âOnce they got near the fryer and the cooking stuff in the back, they immediately were like âGet out, now. Just get out. Leave,â said Wilmeth. âWe all quickly jumped up and ran out.â
According to industry experts (Carbon Monoxide Levels | Kidde), people will start to feel headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea when carbon monoxide is at 200 PPM. Closer to 400, it can become deadly after three hours.
âThere wasnât a person at work who didnât complain about their eyes burning, or having a headache, or feeling nauseous, or anything like that,â said Wilmeth.
Liberty fire says the culprit for the dangerously high carbon monoxide level was a faulty ventilation fan that has since been repaired.
âThey had their maintenance crews, Taco Bell maintenance crews, come out,â said Young. âThey remedied the problem. Since then, all the levels are down to an acceptable level.â
While the issue is fixed, the Taco Bell employee who spoke to KCTV5 wants to see systems in place to prevent Sundayâs scene from happening again.
âI would think if there was a significant carbon monoxide problem at a place of business, that there would be detectors in level that are that bad for us,â Wilmeth said.
The Taco Bell location remained closed on Sunday night. It is scheduled to reopen on Monday morning.
Engine Co. 8 was finishing up an EMS response at an east side restaurant when they noticed a smell of natural gas in the entryway of the building. Using their air monitor, Engine 8 identified elevated readings for natural gas and carbon monoxide in the air. The crew investigated and found the source to be a heating unit on the roof that wasnât operating properly.
Carbon monoxide readings in the bathrooms serviced by this heating unit reached over 60 parts per million. People exposed to this level of carbon monoxide typically show symptoms after 4-5 hours of continued exposure.
Firefighters turned off the thermostat to stop the generation of more carbon monoxide, and MGE was called to their location. Meanwhile, Engine 8 and the property owner proceeded to the roof to check the heating unit. Upon returning indoors, they found someone had already turned the thermostat back on. New readings from the bathroom were now over 90 ppm. CO levels as high as 2000 ppm were detected directly from the exhaust of the heating unit, confirming this appliance was the source of the problem.
MGE shut down power to the heating unit and isolated the gas line servicing it. MFD and MGE advised that the unit must not be used again until seen and repaired by a certified technician.
MFD confirmed all air quality readings returned to normal before clearing from the call.
The EMS call that originally summoned Engine 8 to this location was not related to carbon monoxide exposure.
“A safe work environment is essential to running a business safely. The International Code Council is a collection of professionals who set building safety standards: building design, regulations, how to measure structural integrity. What do these standards do for todayâs employees and customers? Why is building maintenance so vital to a successful business?
…In the midst of codes and regulations, the council still encounters common building safety issues. The first is detection and access control systems. For example, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or building alarms. These essential systems notify people when there is an issue that requires them to evacuate or shelter in place. âThose are critical parts of the life safety systems of most buildings…â
“An investigation by NBC News has identified 19 deaths at Airbnb properties involving alleged carbon monoxide poisoning since 2013. All of those deaths happened outside of the U.S. Airbnb says safety is a âtop priorityâ and called the incidents âexceptionally rare.â NBC Newsâ Hallie Jackson reports.”
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) â The Genoa Township Fire Department sent out a warning after a family of four nearly lost their lives.
All four were rushed to the hospital after being exposed to carbon monoxide inside their home.
“The night before I started having headaches, and I donât normally get headaches. I thought it was a virus going around because I have three kids and they bring viruses all the time,â said Danielle Carroll. âIt just got worse and worse, and yesterday morning I felt like I couldnât function. I felt like I couldn’t get up to get my six-year-old ready for school, and thatâs never been difficult. I just felt like I couldnât, my head hurt so bad.â
She says the heater exchange had a crack, causing a large amount of the deadly carbon gas to fill her home.
“They call it ‘the silent killer’, thatâs why you just donât wake up. I almost did. I almost went back to sleep because my head hurt so bad, and I didnât, I couldnât,â she said.
“Could absolutely be the matter of life or death,â said Genoa Fire Chief Joe Ponzi.
Three years ago, a family of four died in their home from carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Thatâs an incident that never goes away from your memory when you have to respond to an incident like that,â Ponzi said.
CO can come from many places. Any time you burn fuel in your vehicle, stoves, furnaces, or even fireplaces, the deadly carbon can build up and be deadly.
Itâs not just around the winter months — Chief Ponzi says CO poisoning can happen year-round.
“Donât think that it canât happen to you. Donât be the person that says ‘this could never happen to me in my home’, because it very much could,â he said.
Some of the symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak, leave the home and call 911 immediately.
Luckily, all of Carrollâs children are recovering from the exposure and are expected to be okay. She set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the unexpected cost.
The Columbus Division of Fire says they will install free CO detectors. City residents can make an appointment and call 614-724-0935.
DRAPER, Utah â Fire crews evacuated dozens of toddlers at the American Preparatory Academy in Draper Wednesday after high levels of carbon monoxide were detected.
At 3:15 p.m. fire crews arrived at the daycare after receiving reports of a possible natural gas leak. After detecting high levels of carbon monoxide inside the building, the school was ordered to be evacuated.
By the time they arrived, there were five students and five adults occupying the building. They all had noted possible symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure including headaches, nausea and vomiting.
According to American Preparatory Schools Executive Director Carolyn Sharette, it was at this time that staff immediately reported the incident.
“You can never be too careful when little kids are involved, obviously [we] don’t want anyone to be sick,” she said. “So, we’re really glad it was not as, not more serious.”
It is believed the source of the carbon monoxide originates from a gas-operated pressure washing system that was being operated on the outside of the building, where the carbon monoxide was able to enter the building from a door left open as well as an airway entrance on the rooftop.
A total of 45 toddlers and 10 adults were present on the school grounds while the power washing system may have been operated. None of the remaining people during the evacuation were transported to the hospital but were asked to transport themselves to a hospital to be examined for carbon monoxide exposure.
Officials say five children and four adults that were treated at the hospital are doing fine now, with the facility itself back up and running Thursday.
Officials are also asking anyone present at the school during this time to also be examined for carbon monoxide exposure.
Richard (left) was 53 and his son, Tom, was 26, when they took a Christmas holiday trip to Florida⊠“Tom and I arrived in Key West, checked into our room, and went out, toured around town, had dinner, and we had a great time. The next morning, I was getting into the shower and Tom was on the bed reading a book. That was my last vision of him.â  (photo courtesy of Richard Lueders)
âThese ranges were recalled in January 2023, and consumers were offered a repair. ZLINE is expanding the remedies available to consumers to also include a replacement range or a refund. All consumers who have an affected range should immediately stop using the oven compartment, even if they have already had their range repaired as part of the prior recall.â
âRobertson said her parents had used the generator all night and, when her father woke up, he wasnât feeling well. Her parents walked into the garage and her father passed out.
Her mother was able to call Robertson for help before she too collapsed. Robertson called 911 and emergency crews found the couple, but could not save Bert Ogborn. Cathy Ogborn was hospitalized, but is recovering.â
A sad reminder to never run a generator in an enclosed space. Generators should be run outdoors at least 20 feet from occupied spaces.
“Flying his Mooney, Dan Bass was overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning and lost consciousness while airborne. He recounts the dreadful accident and his miraculous survival waking up in a snow-covered field in the bitter February cold.”
âNineteen of Jade and Cassidee Smithâs family members were exposed to carbon monoxide on Friday night. As a result, seven of them were left unresponsiveâŠâ
An important reminder to always pack your own CO alarm when traveling
CLOSE CALL: This week we responded to a family of four experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – dizziness, nausea, and headaches. It was discovered that they had left their car running in the garage, causing a slow carbon monoxide leak into the home. Fortunately, all are now stable, but the situation could have been far graver.
Important reminder: Carbon monoxide (or CO for short) is a serious threat and can cause serious illness and even death. CO is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and highly toxic. Ensure your home is equipped with a functioning CO detector to safeguard against potential risks.
âThomas Midkiff died in the early morning hours of Nov. 8 due to carbon monoxide poisoning in the Bass Pro parking lot in Denham SpringsâŠHis parents found him in his car around 3:15 a.mâŠâ
ââŠthe province’s government-owned gas supplier, was called in the following day to investigate after the town became aware of the player’s symptoms.
There were deficiencies detected with two furnaces, so the arena was shut downâŠâ
No mention of installed CO detection or the intent to install any.
Faulty ice-cleaning machine blamed for carbon monoxide poisoning at Sask. hockey tournament
âThe furnace was initially suspected to be the problem, but the Saskatchewan Health Authority said it was likely caused by a faulty ice-cleaning machine. It’s unclear whether the rink had a functioning carbon monoxide detector.â
âThis was a 42 USC 1983 civil rights lawsuit brought against the Columbia Housing Authority on behalf of the family of Calvin J. Witherspoon, Jr. who died from carbon monoxide poisoning on Jan. 17, 2019, at the Allen Benedict Court Apartments in Columbia (South Carolina)âŠ
âŠthe facts alleged in this case shock the conscience: a public housing authorityâs deliberate indifference to a risk of harm that threatened numerous families living in low-income housing. What is more, two men died because of that indifferenceâŠâ
This incident led to a federal requirement for CO alarms/detectors in U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-Assisted Housing:
âThe dog was barking at the carbon monoxide alarm going off in the basement. The alarm was too faint for anyone to hear upstairs, but not for the pup.â
Great story and important reminder to have CO alarms on every level of your home especially near sleeping areas.
Firefighters and multiple ambulances were called to a manufacturing facility on Vanguard Drive in Exeter Township Monday morning for a Carbon Monoxide Incident. According to initial reports, a chainsaw was being used inside the building. Four total patients were reported to be complaining of symptoms with one person initially described as unconscious.
Last night at approximately 1030, Company 33 was dispatched for a Carbon Monoxide Alarm in a residence. Chief 33-2 arrived to find a high volume of CO inside and requested Rescue 33 to assist with investigation and ventilation. Crews found the source to be a boiler exhaust pipe that had inadvertently detached and was feeding exhaust fumes directly into the basement. The house was ventilated and occupants were able to relocate without injury.
Crews found up to 1,500 Parts Per Million of Carbon Monoxide in the house which is enough to cause a human to become unconscious after approximately 20 minutes and lethal after 2 hours. The resident was about to lay for the night as the rest of their family was already asleep. They were alerted by the family dog. As they went to investigate the commotion, they heard the Carbon Monoxide Alarm sounding in the basement causing them to evacuate and call 911.
It is that time of year to check your Carbon Monoxide Detectors, replace the batteries and if you donât have them, buy them. Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can only be detected by special sensors. It is most commonly produced by gas powered appliances as it is a byproduct of incomplete combustion (improper burning) that can back-feed into a residence by improper ventilation or appliance malfunction. Other common causes this time of year is blocked exterior dryer vents by either brush or snow and vehicles running in garages/vehicle exhaust leaking into a house. High levels of CO for a duration of time, as stated, is lethal. CO detectors will alert occupants early enough to escape with little to no health effects. They can be purchased at your local hardware stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, etc⊠We recommend CO and Smoke Detectors on every floor and in every bedroom.
Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell told âRegion 8 the grandfather said a five-burner stove was utilized to heat the cabin and would sometimes malfunction.â
âRFD officials say after investigating, a carbon monoxide leak was confirmed, and hotel guests were evacuatedâŠfire dept. worked with the Kahlerâs maintenance staff to identify and stop the source of the carbon monoxide.â
No information released on the source nor if there is any installed CO detection onsite.
The Rochester Fire Department and then worked with the maintenance staff at the hotel to identify the source of the carbon monoxide. That source was not identified in the Rochester Fire Department news release.
The couple died during their stay at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt –
âDr James Adeley, senior coroner for Lancashire sitting at Preston Coroner’s Court, ruled that the deaths on August 21, 2018 were caused by the spraying of the pesticide containing dichloromethane, in the adjoining room and the couple then inhaling the vapour resulting in their deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning⊠in less developed countries the pesticide Lambda is sometimes diluted with another substance, dichloromethane, which causes the body to metabolise or ingest carbon monoxide.â
Daughter whose parents died abroad calls for tour operators to take responsibility over hotel safety
“‘You donât expect your parents to die in front of you within hours of one another’.
Kelly Ormeod is calling for tour operators to take more responsibility for safety in hotels abroad after her parents died of carbon monoxide poisoning in Egypt.”
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Suspected in the Deaths of two Santa Rosa Residents
On Tues., Nov. 7, 2023, at approximately 9:34 a.m., the Santa Rosa Fire and Police Departments were dispatched to 2705 Range Ave. for a medical incident involving two elderly adults down on the floor in an apartment and possibly deceased. The responding fire crew arrived and was met outside a first-floor apartment of a two-story multi-unit apartment complex by a maintenance representative. The representative advised that he entered the apartment to complete routine maintenance, found them and called 911.
The City of Santa Rosa Fire Dept. crew entered the apartment and located the two subjects. While checking for signs of life, it was determined that the subjects may have been exposed to carbon monoxide. Fire crews exited the residence, donned self-contained breathing apparatus, and re-entered the residence with specialized air monitoring equipment. The monitor confirmed high levels of carbon monoxide present. During the re-entry and while completing a thorough search of the residence, Fire crews located a dog inside a bedroom. The dog was still awake and alert, removed from the residence and turned over to Sonoma Countyâs Animal Control.
The Santa Rosa Police Dept. assisted the Fire crews in checking the remaining eleven apartments in the building for residents and the presence of carbon monoxide. Five residents from various apartments were located and evacuated from the building. All other apartments were clear of any carbon monoxide, and none of the additional residents had any medical complaints.
Santa Rosa Fire crews assisted the Santa Rosa Police Dept. with the investigation of the incident. Based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed that the deaths were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning from a natural gas fueled appliance. The official cause of death is pending the completion of victim autopsies by the Sonoma County Coronerâs Office. The investigation is ongoing. Santa Rosa Police and Fire were assisted by the Santa Rosa Building Division, AMR and PG&E.
âClement is a Licensed Practical Nurse at Mayo Clinic and said when she first saw the child she wasnât breathing, and her lips were blue.
âI didnât feel a pulse on her,â Clement said. âSo, I started CPR and she came back after less than a minute, but she still wouldnât wake up.â
Clement said she thought the girl had been in the pool but found out later from police that the girl had been walking around and passed out.â
No information on source of CO or status of CO detection/alarm equipment. A reminder to carry a CO alarm when traveling and to keep it with you when spending time in any area of the hotel, including the pool area (due to a high number of CO incidents involving pool heaters).
Fire officials stress importance of quick response to carbon monoxide incident at Rochester hotel
ââŠauthorities discovered the source of the carbon monoxide came from a gas-burning appliance near the pool area…Rochester Fire Captain Caleb Feine said every firefighter has a mobile carbon monoxide detector on their gear. ‘If this goes off and alerts us that carbon monoxide may be present, get our more specific, bigger monitors out and they will help verify the readings we are getting and we can determine if thereâs a problem from there…’â
Great to see these clip-on monitors featured in this story. Hopefully one day these will be standard issue for all fire departments in the U.S.
ââŠthe highest carbon monoxide readings came from the buildingâs heating units located on the roof. The building did not have carbon monoxide detectors.â
“Shortly after 9am this morning, Chief 1 and Engine 3 responded to a residence on Nedâs Point Road for a reported smell of gas.
The crew of Engine 3 entered the home and found an exhaust smell that was registering on our carbon monoxide meter at 200ppm, an extremely high level. Firefighters exited the building and donned our SCBAâs and then continued investigating. In one area of the home our meter registered 500ppm and then maxed out reading HIGH.
It was determined that a indoor pool heater had recently been turned on but during renovations to the home the heater vent pipe had been removed and shingled over resulting in exhaust and CO being forced back into the home. Our crews ventilated and secured the gas to the appliance.
CO is extremely dangerous in levels this high. Knowing that the levels were over 500ppm this incident could have resulted in unconsciousness and death. Luckily no one is living in the home as its undergoing renovations.”
âCrews arrived on the scene to find all four occupants, two adults and two children, had evacuated the home and were suffering from CO poisoning symptoms.
Firefighters entered the residence and found CO levels of 500 PPM along with a generator which was running in the basement.
Preliminarily, the residence was found to have no power with one or more gas generators in the basement powering appliances in the residence.â
“Davison Township Police Chief Jay Rendon said emergency crews found an 82-year-old man dead inside the house when they arrived. Firefighters pulled an 83-year-old woman outside.
An ambulance rushed the woman to Hurley Medical Center in critical condition. She later was airlifted to ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Ohio, where she remained in critical condition.”
Lives were saved earlier this week because of working smoke/ carbon monoxide detectors, a solid dispatcher who got help out quickly, and a robust fire/EMS response!
Fire & EMS at Grand Canyon National Park were dispatched to an NPS residence for a carbon monoxide alarm activation. Dispatch advised the residents to evacuate the home. Two firefighters entered the home while medics checked out the two adults and infant who lived there.
The entry team’s gas monitor immediately went into alarm for CO just a few feet inside the front door, and found levels between 50-60ppm. CO levels above 35ppm are considered immediately dangerous to life and health. Firefighters determined the source was the wood stove. They extinguished the fire in the stove and ventilated the home.
Within a few minutes CO levels were down to zero throughout the home and the wood stove will be inspected and the door gasket replaced.
This incident showcases the excellent work and dedication of our NPS first responders, and the importance of having working smoke/CO detectors!
âWe have accident experience that shows that carbon monoxide leaks happen and that they bring down airplanesâŠthe FAA has refused to require (CO) detectors, only recommending themâŠ(their)position is that regular maintenance and inspections would catch any carbon monoxide leaksâŠâ
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