West Hartford Fire Department officials said high levels of carbon monoxide were discovered in a building that serves as a home and business on North Main Street.

By Ronni Newton

Four people were evacuated from a building in West Hartford and three were taken to area hospitals after high levels of carbon monoxide were discovered Sunday morning.

West Hartford Fire Chief Greg Priest said that a call was received at 8:14 a.m., from an occupant in a building at 309 North Main St. in Bishops Corner, that serves as both the offices of Evolve Behavioral Health and a residence. The caller reported that there was soot in the building.

West Hartford police and fire crews responded, and according to Priest there were four occupants in the building at the time. All were quickly escorted out of the building and treated by emergency medical services personnel at the scene.

Three of the people who had been affected by the exposure to carbon monoxide were transported by American Medical Response ambulances to area hospitals for additional treatment, Priest said, and one was accompanied by a West Hartford Fire Department paramedic.

According to the fire department, high levels of carbon monoxide – “at or close to levels immediately dangerous to life or health” – were found throughout the building, including in the living areas.

Priest said that the condition of those exposed to the carbon monoxide is unknown, but their illness is believed not to be life-threatening.

Officials are continuing to investigate to determine the cause of the high levels of carbon monoxide, with the investigation focused on the heating system.

A West Hartford building inspector has deemed the building unsafe for occupancy at this time.

“We wish the occupants a speedy recovery and would like to take this opportunity to remind our residents of the value of having smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed in your residence,” Priest said.

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