Carbon monoxide poisons 7 people at Ocala business

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Seven people were taken to the hospital in Ocala after being exposed to carbon monoxide at a business on Wednesday night.

“They were all just standing out there with two fire trucks and ambulances and it’s just, wild, it’s crazy stuff,” shared one witness nearby, Justin Rossi.

Ocala Fire Rescue crews responded to Cheney Brothers on Silver Springs Boulevard around 7:30 p.m. after employees reported symptoms suggesting carbon monoxide (CO) exposure.

“Most of the time, a reputable company like Cheney Brothers is gonna be up to par on permits and stuff so I think that was probably just a fluke,” shared nearby business owner Ghost Williams. “But it is a little scary. You can’t see it or sense it, and it can still have an affect on you.”

When they arrived, crews used gas monitors which detected elevated levels of the gas. Crews evacuated everyone from the building. Medics identified 11 people with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, seven of which were taken to the hospital.

“They caught it early enough so that people weren’t exposed for like a long period of time,” shared Rossi. “But it’s still such a heartbreaking moment that 11 people still had to be hospitalized.”

Firefighters determined a faulty propane-powered floor cleaner was the source of the gas. When turned on, the machine emitted carbon monoxide levels at 1400 parts per million. The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for outdoor air is 9 parts per million. Average homes are between 0.5 and 5 parts per million.

Crew aired out the building bringing the gas level back down to an acceptable level.

“I hope that everyone’s okay because there’s a lot of people over there supporting their families and Cheney brothers is a pillar for Ocala, it’s a pillar business,” stated Williams.

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Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas which can deprive the body of oxygen if inhaled. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, and chest pain.

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