7 hospitalized after NE Austin gas leak

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Seven people at the Canyon Villas in Northeast Austin were hospitalized overnight Sunday after what Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services said was carbon monoxide exposure.

ATCEMS spokesperson James Howley said the exposure was likely caused after a gas leak in the area.

Officials said six adults and one child were in four units of the apartment complex, located at 1212 Westheimer Drive. Two other people affected by the smell declined to be treated.

When EMS arrived they found the 7-year-old unconscious.

"Several people were complaining of headache, nausea and different odors in the building, odors of gas," said Temple Thomas with ATCEMS. "The fire department responded as well. Using sniffing type equipment they were able to determine there was high levels of carbon monoxide as well as natural gas."

All patients were taken to St David’s Medical Center for treatment of carbon monoxide exposure.

Temple added that the people noticed the smell several days before but did not report it.

"It is very common in the winter, especially in the beginning of a cold front when people turn on their heaters for the first time either the pilot light is not on or the heaters do not work appropriately to get natural gas leaks," Temple explained.

A neighbor, who smelled nothing, said the apartment complex does warn people who may be using their heater for the first time of the winter season.

"They usually go around and tell people or you can call them and they'll send someone to do it for you, but if you're not checking your pilot they'll come and check it for you," said Andrew McLemore, who has lived at the complex for three years.  "It is important to check that pilot because it could cause an explosion."

Justin Marler inspects heaters for a living. He said it's important for resident to take the right safety precautions where your heater is stored.

"You want to make sure your closet is properly weather stripped, and your closet, your combustion closet is isolated from your house," explained Merler. "Secondly, you want to make sure your vent pipe hasn't been disturbed. I find this often. When someone gets a new roof on a house the vent pipe will be disturbed and will actually be kicked out of place by the roofers. And no one will know it."

Since carbon monoxide is odorless, Merler recommends you install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and place them near the bedroom so you'll be sure to hear them if there's leak.

As for the seven people sickened, fire crews did not release their names.

They were released from the hospital on Monday.