Amherst, NY – Six construction workers were overcome by high levels of carbon monoxide as they were working inside a medical office building overnight Thursday.
Main-Transit firefighters were called to Windsong Radiology around 1 a.m. after the workers showed ill effects.
One of the workers went to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital for treatment. Five others were evaluated at the scene. They are said to be okay.
Main-Transit Fire Department Public Information Officer Carl Fisher said the workers were using a propane floor cutter without proper ventilation.
“They were using the propane powered saw to cut some plumbing into a new office that they were making. With that, the propane would overcome them a little bit, they would come outside for a breather, and then it just got to be too much for them,” said Fisher.
Firefighters found deadly levels of the orderless gas throughout the building. Crews were on scene throughout the overnight venting the gas from the medical campus.