Fire Dept: Carbon Monoxide Detector Saved Lives

According to fire officials, someone called 911 when their apartment’s carbon monoxide detector went off around 11:30 p.m.

When firefighters arrived, they found high levels of carbon monoxide in the building and immediately began evacuating the apartments..

Firefighters were forced to evacuate 55 people. Many of the residents were complaining of headaches and nausea. Fire officials said the residents started to feel better when they got into fresh air.

Fire crews turned off the gas to the building and began investigating the source of the carbon monoxide. They believe it was a blocked ventilation pipe inside the building that caused the leak.

While the residents waited outside, the fire department used huge fans to ventilate apartment building.

Columbia Gas crews also responded to the scene to assist firefighters. The gas will remain off in the building until ventilation pipe can be fixed, officials said.