Springfield, MA – The Mulberry House condominium complex on the famous Mulberry Street was evacuated on Wednesday morning, following a high carbon monoxide reading.
Just after 10 a.m., the Springfield Fire Department tested the air and a high carbon monoxide level prompted crews on the scene
to radio for backup, and proceed with an evacuation of the building.
Deputy Fire Chief Glenn Guyer said that elevated carbon monoxide levels were found in the sub‑basement of the parking garage
at 101 Mulberry St. He said the problem was caused when a contractor swept the parking garage with a gasoline‑powered
sweeper and backpack leaf blowers.
Guyer said the reading in the parking garage was initially 180 parts per million, and it is at 35 parts per million where firefighters start to get concerned. But he said the higher crews went into the building, the lower the readings were.
The building, a 120‑unit housing complex, overlooks the Springfield Cemetery. It was build in the 1960s as a luxury condominium complex.