Fort worth firefighters are investigating a carbon monoxide leak that sent eighteen people to the hospital today. It happened at a bakery just east of downtown.
MedStar Ambulance and Fort Worth firefighters say 18 people were evacuated from a Fort Worth bakery and treated for possible carbon monoxide poisoning Thursday morning.
The call for help came from the Guanajuato Bakery at 3301 E. Belknap Street at about 10:30 a.m. when multiple people reported carbon monoxide poisoning.
Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson Craig Trojacek said some employees started feeling symptoms Thursday morning, and when several started experiencing the same symptoms, they decided to call 911.
“When our crews arrived on-scene, they found… 18 people, patients, that we started bringing outside and started treating on-scene," he said.
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Trojacek said all were employees, and one woman was unconscious.
He said they were transported to hospitals as a precaution to check carbon monoxide levels. Further details about the patients are not yet known.
Andrew Ashton, a customer, was passing by when he saw first responders.
"I see the Atmos truck and I see the rest of these trucks down here and I knew it was something severe, serious," he said.
NBC 5 reached out to Atmos Gas for comment and is waiting to hear back.
Trojacek said they were told that construction work was being done on an oven inside the bakery on Wednesday, but investigators are still gathering information.
"We do not know for a fact, we’re not saying that that was the cause of what was going on," he said.
He said firefighters used the bakery's ventilation system to clean the air.
"And we’re going back with our own ventilation crews to make sure we can kind of catch those pockets, the closets, the bathrooms, things like that, to make sure the air quality is where it needs to be," he said.
He added that fire crews were doing air checks every 15 minutes until they could determine it was safe for exposure. Crews had cleared the scene by 4:00 p.m.
Trojacek said customers who came by the bakery before the incident shouldn't worry; if they are feeling OK, they probably are.
Still, Ashton said he's glad he didn't end up stopping by Thursday morning.
“I’m very glad I skipped breakfast this morning," he said.
Julio Hernandez came upon the scene when trying to pick up his birthday cake order.
"Damn, I did not expect this at all. I was just driving here, pick it up, and that’s it," he said, grateful that at least one employee was back inside and OK. “I thought my cake would’ve been ruined. I mean, it’s my special day today, so I’m enjoying it.”
On Thursday evening, Guanajuato Bakery released a statement to NBC 5, saying a faulty oven was responsible for the gas leak that sickened employees.
"Yesterday we had someone change a part of one of our ovens and they unfortunately didn't do it correctly," a bakery manager said. "In the morning at about 8 to 8:30 employees started to feel bad, so the property manager asked Keyla Orduno, an employee, to call authorities.”
"Everyone was taken to the hospital to ensure they were at regular levels and everyone has been discharged and is fine now," the statement continued. "We closed for the rest of the day but will be open tomorrow."
PREVENTING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas that is undetectable by human senses and can be fatal under periods of prolonged exposure.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, carbon monoxide is a byproduct of the incomplete burning of combustible fuels in cars, trucks, small engines, stoves, furnaces, gas ranges and grills. The gas can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.
You can't smell carbon monoxide, so the only way you'll know if there's been a buildup of the poisonous gas around you is through a working carbon monoxide detector or if you start showing symptoms.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Symptoms are often described as "flu-like" and breathing too much of the gas can knock you out or kill you. The CDC said people who are sleeping or drunk could die from carbon monoxide poisoning before they have symptoms.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, it is recommended that all homes install a carbon monoxide detector near bedrooms. The batteries should be checked every six months and the units should be replaced every five years. They are designed to signal an alert before carbon monoxide levels reach a dangerous threshold, giving people ample time to move into fresh air.
Trojacek said if you think you've been exposed, leave the area to find fresh air, and then call 911.
For more tips on preventing carbon monoxide poisoning, visit the CDC or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
