33 Evacuated From Hotel

Five Treated For Carbon Monoxide Exposure

— Five people with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning were treated at a hospital after a hotel was evacuated Monday night.

Thirty-three people were evacuated from Hampton Inn, north of U.S. 412 near Signature Plaza.

Emergency responders forced their way into one room when its occupant didn’t respond as the evacuation unfolded, Fire Chief Greg Neely said. Four people were taken to Siloam Springs Regional Hospital, and one went to the hospital by private vehicle.

Paramedics treated an unconscious patient who later was taken to the hospital.

At A Glance

About Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas produced when a fossil fuel is burned, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion,” the CDC website states. “High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death.”

Source: Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Pulse EMS later took a person involved in the incident from Siloam Springs to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.

About 25 people were moved to Best Western in West Siloam Springs, Okla., Neely said.

Some guests returned after the hotel opened at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, said April Gibson, general manager of Hampton Inn. Others stayed at Best Western.

The cause of the incident was traced to a swimming pool heater emitting elevated levels of carbon monoxide, Neely said.

“We will have someone on the property today to verify the source, and repairs will be made immediately,” Gibson said Tuesday afternoon. “The pool is out of order until further notice.”

The first call related to the incident was at about 8:30 p.m. Monday when a 54-year-old man reported he was dizzy and had a rapid heart rate, Neely said. He was taken from Hampton Inn to the hospital.

About two hours later, another man reported similar symptoms. He also was taken to the hospital.

Emergency responders called the gas company for assistance.

Firefighters monitored the air quality Tuesday afternoon to ensure it remained safe.

Hampton Inn confirmed in a statement the hotel was evacuated because of a carbon monoxide leak from a pool heater.

“All guests of the hotel are safe and appropriate accommodations were extended to make up for this inconvenience,” the statement reads. ”The safety and security of our hotel guests and team members is always our highest priority, and our hotel is working diligently with local authorities to resolve this matter.”

Dr. Matthew Walter of Siloam Springs Regional Hospital said, “the majority of carbon monoxide exposures occur in the winter months, and the most common source of residential CO-related poisoning is unvented supplemental heaters.”

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