Carbon Monoxide Exposure 50 Affected at Utah Mormon Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Monroe, Utah, has a chapel called Monroe East.Photo byGoogle Maps / Google Maps

In a concerning turn of events at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Monroe, Utah, nearly 50 individuals sought treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning, according to church officials. The incident, occurring about 174 miles south of Salt Lake City, left 54 attendees reporting symptoms related to carbon monoxide exposure, with 49 individuals confirmed to have elevated gas levels in their systems.

The church attributed the poisoning to a malfunction within the meetinghouse's heating system, prompting the immediate closure of the premises to ensure safety. Expressing deep concern and empathy, the church announced its commitment to supporting medical expenses and offering assistance to those impacted by the incident.

However, specific details regarding the conditions of those affected remained unavailable at the time of the statement's release.

The Sevier County Sheriff's Office provided additional insights, disclosing that 22 individuals from the church had been hospitalized earlier on Monday. The ordeal unravelled when a 4-year-old girl initially reported breathing difficulties during the Sunday meeting. Subsequently, an hour later, emergency responders returned to attend to a man experiencing sickness, which raised alarms among authorities.

The situation escalated further when a third individual reported severe headaches after leaving the church. Upon investigation, the local fire department discovered hazardous levels of carbon monoxide within the building, prompting the immediate evacuation of the meetinghouse.

However, the sheriff's office faced challenges in handling the influx of patients, citing insufficient ambulances and personnel to manage the situation adequately. To mitigate the crisis, emergency medical personnel and ambulances from neighbouring counties rallied to assist or stood by on standby, supporting the overwhelmed response efforts.

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the community's collective concern remained directed toward the well-being and swift recovery of those affected by this alarming incident. As investigations continued and efforts to aid the affected individuals intensified, the focus remained on ensuring the safety of all attendees and addressing the underlying issues that led to this unfortunate episode at the church meetinghouse in Monroe.