Rochester, MN – A southeast Rochester daycare had a carbon monoxide scare Tuesday afternoon.
Minnesota Energy and the Rochester Fire Department responded to the 800 block of 4th Avenue at 3:20 p.m. when the home carbon monoxide monitor began beeping. After evacuating the 10 children, initial tests showed a reading of 50 parts per million, which assistant fire marshal Larry Mueller classified as a “relatively signifiant” level of carbon monoxide.
Further testing showed the whole home had readings between 50-60 PPM. Authorities eventually traced the source of the problem to the home’s basement boiler, which was malfunctioning. It was taken out of service, and the unnamed daycare was provided with space heaters until the unit can be fixed, Mueller said.
First responders used a carboxyhemoglobin monitor to test the occupants for carbon monoxide poisoning. None showed elevated levels.
Authorities were at the daycare for about an hour, Mueller said.