Fire Department

Madison Fire Department paramedics and EMT/firefighters were dispatched to the Doubletree Hotel on W. Johnson Street to check on two people reportedly passing out in the stairwell by the pool. Upon arrival, Medic 4 and Ladder Company 1 found a group of 8-10 people in the stairwell who said they'd just spent about an hour in the pool and hot tub area. After two of their relatives passed out, they decided to call 911.

While crews assessed the patients, a carbon monoxide monitor stored inside Medic 4’s EMS bag began to sound. Ladder 1 grabbed their Sensit meter and began investigating the air quality.

Inside the stairwell, where the family had congregated, air monitors showed carbon monoxide readings of 150 parts per million (ppm). Everyone was told to evacuate, and Ladder Company 1 stepped outside to put on their turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatuses.

Inside the pool room, they found 400 ppm of carbon monoxide, and inside the boiler room for the pool, readings peaked at 2000-2500 ppm.

Firefighters opened multiple doors to begin ventilating, and MGE responded to assist with identifying the carbon monoxide source. MGE determined an exhaust pipe on one of the boilers had fallen off and was discharging exhaust into the room.

After clearing the air in the boiler room and pool area, firefighters checked adjacent hotel rooms and the other floors for elevated levels of CO. No other hotel guests complained of illnesses.

MGE remained on scene to work with maintenance on boiler repairs and do additional air monitoring.

The patients' conditions began to improve once taken outside. They were transported by Medic 4 to the nearest hospital for further treatment and monitoring.

Pictured: Handheld Sensit meter