At 8:03 AM, The Knox County Emergency Communications District received a call for several individuals, approximately 6], who were sick inside the Sam’s Club East building.
Upon arrival, KFD discovered several persons working inside the Sam’s Club had become nauseous in the last hour. These individuals were showing signs and symptoms of Carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is an odorless and colorless gas often associated with the incomplete combustion of Natural Gas heating in air units in facilities such as this building. Sams’s management advised a unit on the roof had recently been worked on, and KFD was able, in conjunction with KUB, to confirm that there was a malfunctioning unit on the roof.
KFD worked with Sam’s management to secure the unit’s gas and air out of the building.
During this time, KFD and AMR identified nine individuals who needed further medical evaluation, and AMR transported those persons to area hospitals.
The building has been deemed safe and will be returned to Sam’s management shortly. Likely, Sam’s will reopen within the hour.
A total of 43 of Sam’s employees were in the building at the time of the call.
A sub-contractor was also working on a remodel of the building. The sub was not working on the heat and air unit.
3 KFD Engine Companies
1 Ladder Company
1 Hazmat Unit
1 Battalion Chief
2 Assistant Chiefs
1 EMS Division Unit
18 Members
Signs of CO poisoning:
Headache
Weakness
Dizziness
Short of Breath
Confusion
Blurred Vision
Loss of muscle control
Loss of consciousness
For possible CO poisoning, get into fresh air immediately and seek medical care immediately.
