On August 1, 2025, a carbon monoxide leak at the Ashore Resort and Beach Club in Ocean City, Maryland, prompted an evacuation after a carbon monoxide alarm triggered around 11 a.m. The Ocean City Fire Department identified high levels of the gas due to a boiler ventilation issue, hospitalizing four employees near the boiler room, while 14 others were evaluated by EMS. The boiler was shut down, and the hotel was deemed safe by 1:30 p.m. after repairs and inspections.
The incident, initially called a “mass casualty incident” for procedural reasons, caused no fatalities, and the four hospitalized employees were treated and released the same day. Social media amplified public concern, but the hotel’s carbon monoxide alarms ensured a swift response. The boiler remains offline pending further repairs and third-party inspections, highlighting the critical need for proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.