Providence, RI – Several people are recovering after a carbon monoxide leak at a Providence apartment building.
First responders were called just after 7:30 a.m. Wednesday to 31 Roger Williams Green, which is located in the University Heights complex off North Main Street.
Eight people were evaluated at the scene, according to Battalion Chief Jason Houle, while five were transported to the hospital with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, including a girl around 5 years old.
Houle said six units, five of which were unoccupied, were found to have high levels of carbon monoxide. He credited working CO detectors with saving the occupants’ lives.
“It’s very important,” he said. “We take them for granted but they definitely do work, especially as the cold weather comes. The heating systems are starting to get turned on, they haven’t been serviced, so make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are functioning.”
Everyone affected by the leak is expected to be OK, according to Houle.
Investigators believe the issue stemmed from a single heating unit, which has since been shut down and will eventually be replaced.
The affected apartments were ventilated and crews cleared the scene around 8:15 a.m.