Pool heater may have been source of carbon monoxide leak at Marysville hotel, officials say
The source of a carbon monoxide leak at the Hampton Inn in Marysville on Saturday that sent multiple people to the hospital may have came from a pool heater, according to police and fire officials.
The Marysville Division of Fire and Division of Police are investigating the incident to confirm the origin of the carbon monoxide and determine what caused it to build up to such high levels inside the building, according to a Monday news release.
Carbon monoxide: What you need to know to stay safe
Malfunctioning pool heaters have been the cause of other carbon monoxide poisoning incidents around the country, including one in 2017 at a southwestern Michigan hotel that killed a 13-year-old boy during a birthday party. That carbon monoxide leak in Niles, Michigan, sickened about a dozen other people, according to the Detroit Free Press.
One of the world's best known tennis players, Vitas Gerulaitis, died in 1994 at the age of 40 from carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide gas from a defective pool heater at a friend's home in Long Island caused his death while sleeping in the guesthouse.
A 2019 article in Preventive Medicine Reports indicated that from 2005-2018 there were 28 incidents and 12 deaths due to "unintentional (carbon monoxide) poisoning in hotels, motels, and resorts" as a result of natural gas swimming pool heaters.
Ohio's fire code does not require hotels to have carbon monoxide detectors in pool areas of hotels. Inspections and licensing of public water facilities, such as the hotel pool and hot tub, are done by local health departments.
Information on the Union County Health Department's website shows the most recent inspection of the pool and hot tub at the Hampton Inn occurred on Dec. 13. There is no information available on the online report as to whether the facilities passed inspection or had violations.
Carbon monoxide poisoning: What happened at the Marysville Hampton Inn?
The incident began around 5:30 p.m. Saturday when the first reports of unconscious people at the hotel became coming in to Marysville emergency personnel. The first call was in reference to an unconscious 2-year-old girl.
CO poisoning: Marysville Hampton Inn remains closed after suspected carbon monoxide leak hospitalizes 11
Units from Allen Township Fire, Jerome Township Fire, Union Township Fire, Northwestern Fire District and others responded to the scene to assist and treat those affected.
First responders were able to determine there were dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide in the hotel, which was evacuated for the night.
Seven people were taken by paramedics to Memorial Hospital, located less than a mile from the hotel. An additional four patients transported themselves to the hospital. Five adults and six children were treated, the hospital said Saturday.
Carbon monoxide: More tips to make sure your home is safe
Seven patients were hospitalized while four were treated and released. Out of the seven patients, two were critical but stable, and five were serious but stable, according to police and officials. All of them were transported to other care facilities.
Three additional patients were transported to OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital in Delaware, but their conditions are unknown at this time, according to the news release.
Some of the guests that were staying at the Hampton Inn included members from the Teays Valley Youth Wrestling program. A person affiliated with the program said they had no comment on the situation besides offering prayers for those who were hurt.
The wrestling program was competing at the Central Ohio Buckeye Youth Wrestling Association tournament at Benjamin Logan High School, located near Bellefontaine, on Sunday. The team went on to win the tournament, dedicating its win to the injured.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Marysville Ohio Hampton Inn carbon monoxide leak: Pool heater examined
