CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of people were evaluated after a carbon monoxide leak happened at an apartment complex in the Dilworth neighborhood. Fire officials believe the leak happened because of a gas-powered saw left at a construction site inside the building.
The Charlotte Fire Department responded to an apartment complex near the intersection of East Blvd and Kenilworth Avenue on Wednesday around 5 p.m.
The building was evacuated and 27 people were evaluated for exposure to carbon monoxide. Of these people, 11 were transported to a local hospital. Officials said they all had non-life-threatening issues.
After about four hours of work, firefighters were able to control the incident and ventilate the building. Residents were allowed to reenter the building after this.
“You’re in there working for long periods of time using gas-powered equipment. Carbon monoxide from that equipment has to go somewhere, and that was the problem inside the building itself," Captain Jackie Gilmore with Charlotte Fire said.
Captain Jackie Gilmore with Charlotte Fire Department said working carbon monoxide detectors and the fact that this didn’t happen at night likely saved lives.
Because carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, Gilmore said Charlotte City Code requires detectors in every home and business. That -- and being aware of possible symptoms – can make all the difference.
“You feel like you have a cold, you feel nauseated. If you ever have that problem and you do have carbon monoxide detectors activated, you need to leave immediately and go outside," Gilmore said.
Gilmore said firefighters aired out all of the condo homes and businesses that were affected, using large fans to clear the space of the poisonous gas
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