Carbon monoxide leak found at Chambersburg Aquatic Center
The Boys & Girls Club of Chambersburg helped Chambersburg Rec Dept. test the new Chambersburg Aquatic Center on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (Photo: Markell DeLoatch, Public Opinion)
(Chambersburg) — Several workers were taken to the hospital after a carbon monoxide leak was found inside the concession stand at the new Chambersburg Aquatic Center during its opening weekend.
The new center officially opened to the public on Saturday, but the leak was found on Sunday after an employee went to the hospital with chest pains, according to a news release from borough manger Jeff Stonehill.
The manager said the pool’s management believed the employee’s incident was medical or stress related, but later discovered the deep fryer and ventilation hoods were causing carbon monoxide to be released into the air after several other workers felt light headed, nauseous and weak.
About 10-15 children, along with their parents, and two adult employees were taken to the hospital for testing and observation.
Stonehill said workers were exposed to the gas, but “everyone is fine” and no one was diagnosed with poisoning. Both the adults and children were released later that evening.
He added this is not considered a hazmat incident, and instead is a mechanical malfunction.
The Chambersburg Health Inspector also gave permission Monday for the concession stand to reopen without the fryer, according to Stonehill.
“In the end, the teamwork was great and everyone is appreciative,” said Julie Redding, the borough’s acting superintendent of recreation.
This story comes to us through a partnership between WITF and The Chambersburg Public Opinion.
The Purple Buck Newsletter
Get insights into WITF’s newsroom and an invitation to join in the pursuit of trustworthy journalism.
