UPDATE: Damaged exhaust vent caused CO2 leak at Ball Bros. Produce
UPDATE 1/20/2017 9:55 am: Officials with the Central Fire District have confirmed that a damaged exhaust vent caused a carbon monoxide build up at Ball Brother’s Produce that sent 17 people to the hospital.
According to Carl Anderson with the Central Fire District, a chunk of ice slid off the roof of a potato cellar and hit an exhaust vent for a gas powered heater. The damaged vent allowed unsafe levels of carbon monoxide to build up in the cellar.
Jessica Clements with Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center confirms that all but 1 of the 17 victims has been released from the hospital. The one still in the hospital is listed in fair condition.
Update: Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center says a total of 17 people have been hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning because of the incident at Ball Brother’s Produce Thursday afternoon.
EIRMC activated Incident Command protocol at 4:34 p.m. to manage the situation, a practice that is consistent in any incident that impacts major operations of the hospital.
Original Story: Jefferson County Sheriff’s office says 13 employees at Ball Brothers Produce in Lewisville had to be taken to the hospital because of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Jefferson County 911 got a call at about 3:50. The caller said employees were complaining of headaches, nausea, and coughing. Lewisville, Menan and Rigby QRU & fire responded as well as Idaho Falls Ambulance. 13 people were transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.
It was reported there were high levels of carbon monoxide in the building.
