Kansas City, Kansas supermarket evacuated after carbon monoxide leak: fire official
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A carbon monoxide leak inside of a Kansas City, Kansas supermarket led to an emergency evacuation of the building on Tuesday afternoon, and eight people were treated for exposure to the gas, according to a fire department spokesman.
Battalion Chief Scott Schaunaman of the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department said firefighters were called at 12:06 p.m. to the El Rio Bravo Supermarket at 11 S. 10th Street for a medical call. Firefighters were initially unaware of the presence of carbon monoxide, he said, and were alerted through a portable detector on their medical bags that the gas was inside the store.
Once the presence of carbon monoxide was detected, the market was cleared and hazardous materials crews arrived. Of those visiting the store affected by the gas, Schaunaman said two were taken by ambulance to a hospital. The remaining six were given oxygen at the scene and declined to be transported to the hospital afterward.
Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. Severe exposure can lead to death.
Schaunaman said there were no carbon monoxide alarms going off when firefighters entered the store. He said the incident “could have been a lot worse” — possibly resulting in deaths or affecting more customers. And he said it demonstrates the importance of having a working detector inside of a home or business.
The store has since been closed as Kansas Gas, which provides service to the building, investigates the origin of the leak, Schaunaman said. It will remain closed until the issue is resolved, he said.
