Andover, MA – High levels of carbon monoxide forced La Quinta Hotel & Suites to evacuate 60 of its 168 rooms early Friday afternoon.
A carbon monoxide alarm brought firefighters to the 131 River Road hotel at 12:26 p.m., according to fire Chief Michael Mansfield. Firefighters monitored carbon monoxide levels in the building and found they exceeded 100 parts per million in the laundry room.
After the gas was eliminated, the undetermined number of guests were allowed to return to their rooms. Deputy fire Chief Albert DelDotto estimated the guests were out of their rooms for two to 2 1/2 hours.
Police and firefighters then evacuated the 60 rooms. Columbia Gas was notified and the firefighters set up a series of ventilation stands to rid the building of carbon monoxide.
When testing showed there was no carbon monoxide in the hotel, the guests were allowed to return to their rooms, Mansfield said.
Columbia Gas determined which appliances emitted carbon dioxide and shut them down. The gas inspector went to the hotel to advise the company how to replace the defective machines.