Three adults and two children were hospitalized on Friday, Jan. 3, after a carbon monoxide leak occurred at the Residence Inn Atlanta Downtown. The AFRD said first responders arrived on the scene around 8:30 a.m. and found extremely high levels of carbon monoxide inside the 20-floor, 160-room hotel.
The incident began after two children were found unconscious and unable to wake up after emergency services calls. Upon arrival, firefighters evacuated the building and took five individuals to the hospital for observation. The victim was reported as being transported in an unconscious state.
At this point, the conditions of the ones who were hospitalized have not been confirmed by the authorities.
Hazmat Team Assures Safety
Once the leak was identified, the AFRD hazmat team quickly worked to ensure guests and staff were taken care of. The hotel’s gas line was turned off, and firefighters along with the hotel’s maintenance staff worked to find the source of the leak.
As a precaution, approximately 100 guests in the hotel’s 160 rooms were evacuated in about an hour. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority provided a bus to shelter those evacuated as the emergency personnel stabilized the situation.
“All carbon monoxide readings at the Residence Inn have now returned to acceptable levels,” AFRD shared in an Instagram update. The hotel building was subsequently turned over to Atlanta Gas for further inspection.
Evacuation Leads to Temporary Closure
The incident caused much inconvenience to the hotel guests, most of whom were outside during the evacuation. One guest described the chaotic scene, saying they were not allowed to get their belongings and had to wait as authorities were trying to secure the premises.
Firefighters ventilated the building from ground floor to the roof to rid any residual traces of carbon monoxide. Assistant Fire Chief Greg Gray said that the gas line had been turned off, and wasn’t turned back on until officials got confirmation that air quality levels were safe again.
The hotel has since temporarily shut down as a precaution to make sure that no risk remains.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
Carbon monoxide leaks can be deadly, as the gas is undetectable by odor or color without specialized equipment. The AFRD said safety measures and regular maintenance could have prevented such an incident.
The origin of the leak has not been released yet, while the investigation is still ongoing. Officials continue to research whether any structural or operational factors contributed to the gas accumulation.
While the danger has passed, this incident shows the need for carbon monoxide detectors in public buildings. Guests and authorities alike await further word on the investigation and the condition of those affected.
