Firefighters Evacuate East Charlotte Apartment Building Filled With Carbon Monoxide

Firefighters evacuated an apartment building in East Charlotte Monday morning after residents showed signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The first call came in around 4:20 a.m. Monday. There was a report of one unconscious person at the Birchcroft Apartments on Central Avenue near Briar Creek Road.

When medic and firefighters got to the scene, several people were complaining of headaches.

Seven people were transported to Presbyterian Hospital. Three have life-threatening injuries and the four others have non-life threatening injuries, police said. Three other residents were treated on the scene, officials said.

Firefighters evacuated the building and used a special device to measure the levels of carbon monoxide in the area. They found 435 parts per million, which is a lethal amount of carbon monoxide. The building's residents could have died if they had been exposed for a few more hours, firefighters said.

Fire officials were able to isolate the source of carbon monoxide gas. It came from a heating unit inside the apartment building, officials said.

Firefighters said two carbon monoxide detectors were not working properly.

The Birchcroft Apartments management tried to find its tenants another place to stay Monday morning, while firefighters aired out the building.