AUSTIN -- Nine victims of carbon monoxide poisoning were relased from a hospital and sent home Monday morning.
All of the victims live in building 13 at the Canyon Villas complex off of Westheimer Drive near Cameron Road. Firefighters responded to the complex around 11 a.m. Sunday when they say a young child in one of the units passed out. Neighbors in the units next door also complained of similar symptoms like headaches, dizziness and nausea.
Texas Gas Service spokesperson Lori Moreno says crews discovered a carbon monoxide leak in one of the apartment's appliances. The leak spread to the adjoining units. Crews had to go in and open windows and doors to ventilate the apartments.
“I was so shocked. I thought somebody broke into my house. I was just so, I didn't know what to do,” said Patrick Pleasant. “The windows and my door was unlocked. I was just so crying.”
Pleasant didn't go to the hospital, but seven of his neighbors, including three children ranging in age from seven to 11 years old, did. Firefighters say they went to St. David’s, were evaluated and released.
Since carbon monoxide doesn't have a smell or a color, it can be impossible to detect on your own. Firefighters use specialized equipment and monitors to test for dangerous levels. On Sunday, firefighters calculated levels around 500 and 600 parts per million. Normal levels in a home will test at zero. Older homes with furnace systems could test at 10 ppm.
Firefighters recommend installing a carbon monoxide detector. It should be replaced every seven years or so. If you don’t have one, Austin-Travis County EMS says you can check your heater when you turn it on. It should kick on and put out heat within the first few minutes. If it doesn't then you could have a leak. Texas Gas Service also recommends getting appliances inspected by a licensed plumber once a year.
