Somerville, NJ – High levels of carbon monoxide gas caused the evacuation of an entire apartment building, police said.
At about 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, police were met at an apartment building at 51 West Orchard Street by the Somerville Fire Department, who found that high levels of CO gas was present throughout the entire building, according to Lt. Joseph Clymore of Somerville Police.
The fire department called for the evacuation of the building, according to Officer David Chudy, who was on the scene.
The fire department found the problem to have originated at the furnace, which was subsequently shut down, police said.
Public Service Electric & Gas arrived and ordered the furnace to remain off until repairs could be made, due to extremely high levels of CO gas, police said.
Building Inspector Frank Vuoso arrived and said that the furnace was installed seven months ago, with permits, but has not been inspected since, so he would follow up, police said.
While on location, Brookside Maintenance extended the furnace vent above the building, which stopped the CO from entering the apartments, to the satisfaction of PSE&G, Vuoso, and Fire Chief Bobby Lynn, police said.
Lynn said the building was safe for residents to return to their apartments, and all responders cleared the scene, police said.