Raleigh, NC – Detection of a potentially deadly gas Thursday caused the evacuation of a Raleigh ice rink.
Firefighters evacuated the Iceplex skating rink after high levels of carbon monoxide were detected.
One hockey mom hopes this incident will prompt other rinks to be more cautious.
“We buy all of this expensive gear and helmets and what not to protect the kids, but you don’t think about the air quality in the rink as a safety concern,” said Melissa St. John.
She has been taking her boys to the rink for weeks to play hockey.
That’s when she said the complaints started.
St. John said she thought the boys were just dehydrated and out of shape when they first complained about feeling bad after practices.
“He started saying that after every practice that his head hurt,” she said. “They were all classic symptoms, headaches feeling funny in your stomach, dizzy. It sounded and this is not an unknown issue in ice rinks.”
Managers at the Iceplex said a new Olympia Zamboni machine was the reason for the gas.
The machine has since been retired and managers said they are looking to get an electrical one.
“This was probably and isolated incident with a new piece of machinery and I think they have the problem solved and they are working with our fire marshal to take whatever steps are needed if any to build on that,” said Division Chief for Raleigh Fire Department Rob Johnson.
The business opened Friday with permission from firefighters and after they tested the air levels and found no signs of elevated carbon monoxide levels.
St. John said she won’t let this incident keep her away from her local rink.
“I don’t want to cause any problems for the rinks,” said St. John. “I just want them to test the air and open the doors and windows if the levels are high and protect the kid’s air quality.’
Managers at the Iceplex said they will have a new carbon monoxide reader on Monday. They plan to make it a part of their daily routine to test the equipment and air levels.