Calif. mall evacuated in CO scare

By Ryan Burns
The Eureka Times-Standard

EUREKA, Calif. — Staples and Blockbuster Video in the Eureka Mall were evacuated and several employees were hospitalized Sunday afternoon after the Eureka Fire Department discovered carbon monoxide gas had seeped into the stores from heaters left running in a nearby construction site.

At 2:10 p.m., the Eureka Fire Department responded to a call from Staples employees reporting a kerosene-like smell and suffering from headaches and nausea.

According to Assistant Eureka Fire Chief Bill Gillespie, the crew on scene detected carbon monoxide gas inside Staples and Blockbuster.

"We evacuated those spaces and were able to track it back to some construction going on on the north side of the two stores," said Gillespie.

The heaters had been left running to dry paint applied the previous day.

Three Staples employees were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital. Their status was unknown at press time.

Other employees also complained of headaches but felt fine after getting some fresh air, said Gillespie.

The heaters were turned off and both stores were ventilated until all traces of the gas had been removed. At 4 p.m. the stores were cleared to reopen.

Gillespie said the incident serves as a reminder to be careful when running heaters, generators or any gas-powered appliance.

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"Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless," said Gillespie, "and in high levels it can be dangerous."