The facility reopened on Jan. 5, after Cheektowaga code enforcement inspectors completed inspections, but carbon monoxide detectors were heard again Saturday.
“’Due 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,’ Holiday Twin Rinks posted to its Facebook page around 1:15 p.m.
‘Also, we have placed an order for 2 Electric ice resurfacers last month and are waiting to hear back on delivery times.’”
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — 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 Wednesday’s news.
“My son slept well past 10 a.m. the next day, so it’s really scary. Looking back on what happened, we really didn’t know, and we just wouldn’t have pushed our players as hard if we knew that there was carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Southtown Stars coach Frank Bogulski.
Not only was his son experiencing symptoms on Tuesday, but that night, Frank’s resting heart rate was 100, it normally sits at 60.
The next day upon hearing the news of the rink’s evacuation, the dots connected, and he headed to the ER.
“My 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,” Bogulski said.
The visit to medical professionals also had another benefit of calming his son’s nerves through the scary situation.
“I just felt more scared than anything. Today, I feel way better. I think that’s also the fact that I got blood work done and just made sure that I was okay,” 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 building’s 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.
“My 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,” concluded Bogulski.
Players, coaches experienced symptoms of CO poisoning 24 hours before Holiday Twin Rinks evacuation | News 4 Buffalo (wivb.com)
CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — 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 “a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas” “produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels.”
Forks fire crews confirmed that there were “extremely” 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.
“The team at Oishei Children’s Hospital activated very quickly with an all-hands-on-deck response, seeing 23 patients in an approximately two-hour timeframe,” Kaleida Health said. “Fortunately, 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. It’s a testament to the workforce and providers at Children’s Hospital.”
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 building’s 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 “a faulty heat exchanger in our lobby heater.”
“This was not a gas leak, as reported, but a carbon monoxide build-up due to an improperly functioning piece of heating equipment,” National Fuel said, later noting that it’s now up to the facility owner to make repairs and “remediate the faulty equipment.”
Holiday & Leisure Rinks said it’s taking action.
“This heating item has been disconnected and is being fully replaced today,” they said Thursday, also sharing that National Fuel is checking all existing gas lines for issues.
“We are obviously disappointed that our CO2 detector failed us during this terrible event,” they said. “Today 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!”
Every year, “about 170 people” in the U.S. die from carbon monoxide produced by non-automotive consumer products,” 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.
Carbon monoxide build-up at Cheektowaga ice rink led to dozens seeking treatment | News 4 Buffalo (wivb.com)
“…the 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 down…”
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
“The 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.”
“In 2021, based on the study, Health Canada issued guidelines for improving air quality in arenas. Using electric resurfacers and edgers to maintain the ice, in order to eliminate the main sources of pollutants, was its top recommendation.”
This EV is wiping out indoor air pollution in arenas across Canada | CBC News
“According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), every year, workers die from CO poisoning, usually while using fuel-burning equipment and tools in buildings…
Portable CO detectors are a great choice when workers are in a place where CO is a possibility, but there aren’t any CO detectors available at the site.”
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Facility | Cleaning & Maintenance Management (cmmonline.com)
“Firefighters discovered dangerous levels of carbon monoxide at the Icenter Friday afternoon while responding to an unrelated medical call… portable carbon monoxide detectors attached to firefighters’ gear alerted them of the issue when they walked into the building… Salem’s building inspector will follow up Monday to find out why detectors installed at the Icenter were not sounding when first responders arrived”
Firefighters discover carbon monoxide in Icenter during separate response | New Hampshire | eagletribune.com
“…this is a good way of eliminating one potential creator of carbon monoxide in our arenas…”
#COiceresurfacer
New arena to kick off Sault’s switch to zero-emission ice resurfacers – Sault Ste. Marie News (sootoday.com)
Buffalo, NY – “Investigators believe the cause of the higher than normal carbon monoxide levels was due to an issue with an ice resurfacing machine.”
https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/cazenovia-ice-rink-evacuated-due-to-high-carbon-monoxide-levels?fbclid=IwAR0IWxo7h8DvMuAUObj6nCIMiglcx22YFHZ2X9cPqtLoCSya2jMTmhJwDB0
CRYSTAL LAKE, IL —
“One person was taken to the hospital after exhaust from a Zamboni machine lead to elevated carbon monoxide levels at the Crystal Lake Ice House on Saturday, fire officials said. Authorities initially responded to the ice rink, at 320 E. Prairie Street, for an EMS call at about 1:40 p.m. While at the scene, fire officials determined there were elevated carbon monoxide levels in the building, which houses three ice rinks, according to a news release from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department. At the time, the ice rinks were being used for a hockey tournament…”
https://patch.com/illinois/crystallake/zamboni-blame-carbon-monoxide-incident-fire-officials
The Breslow Ice Hockey Center in Lincoln, NE, was evacuated for high levels of CO traced to an ice resurfacing machine…https://journalstar.com/news/local/zamboni-blamed-for-high-gas-levels-at-breslow-ice-center/article_137c3448-ff80-5842-b865-02d4aa0969a4.html
Carbon Monoxide Exposure in Youth Ice Hockey : Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine (lww.com)
Wilmington, DE –
“The mother of a boy who played hockey at the rink told NBC10 her son along with eight other 13-year-old boys were sickened…the children were taken to the hospital Saturday night and treated for carbon monoxide poisoning…”
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/carbon-monoxide-leak-delaware-ice-rink-close/38420/
WENTZVILLE, Mo. —
“The Lindenwood Ice Rink is closed after collegiate hockey players from the University of Wisconsin and Lindenwood University suffered carbon monoxide poisoning during a game Friday night… (CO) was measured at a level of 200…”
https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/zamboni-suspected-in-ice-rink-carbon-monoxide-poisonings/
Poppy Waterman Ice Rick – Lake Delton, WI
“Authorities at the Delton Fire Department said the cause of the carbon monoxide leak was the rink’s resurfacing machine. The rink will stay closed until the machine can be fixed, officials said. A mechanic is scheduled to start working on it Monday…Ice Hawks President Michael Fatis says the incident makes a good case for a Wisconsin regulation similar to a Minnesota law which requires carbon monoxide detectors at ice rinks.”
81 hospitalized for CO leak at hockey rink (channel3000.com)
“What if the government could craft a rule that would make millions of people safer, reduce carbon emissions, and come with the support of the industry it regulates? It isn’t a dream — three states have had it on the books for years — but there appears to be no momentum for such legislation on the federal level.
The rule? Mandatory testing of carbon-monoxide levels at indoor ice rinks, which number roughly 2,000 nationwide.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/10/federal-indifference-keeps-safety-standards-on-ice/442029/
“Someone connected to the tournament called firefighters Saturday evening and said a Zamboni appeared to be releasing more exhaust than usual…asked whether firefighters could check it out.”
100 people exposed to carbon monoxide taken to area hospitals – cleveland.com
“We suggest that an average environmental concentration of 20 ppm of CO for the duration of a hockey game (90 minutes) should be reference limit not to be exceeded in indoor skating rinks.”
Carbon monoxide in indoor ice skating rinks: Evaluation of absorption by adult hockey players (Journal Article) | OSTI.GOV
Carbon monoxide in indoor ice skating rinks: evaluation of absorption by adult hockey players – PubMed (nih.gov)
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