Eight people hospitalized, 20 more affected by carbon monoxide leak in Goochland

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Eight people were hospitalized and 20 more were affected by a carbon monoxide leak in Goochland County Tuesday morning.

According to the Goochland County Fire Department, at 9:56 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, crews responded to a medical building on the 1600 block of Wilkes Ridge Drive that was partially occupied and partially under construction for a report of a carbon monoxide leak.

Henrico County, Hanover County and Goochland fire department crews arrived at the scene and found people complaining of headaches and nausea consistent with carbon monoxide exposure.

“This was a pretty dynamic situation,” said Goochland Fire Chief Mike Watkins. “Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas, so [your condition] depends on your level of exposure.”

Those hospitalized are in non-life-threatening condition at this time. Another 18 people were evaluated at the scene and refused treatment, including four construction workers.

“Oftentimes it can be resolved fairly, fairly quickly once you’re in clean and open air,” Watkins said. “Once you ventilate, you can usually move carbon monoxide out fairly quickly. So at this point, the building is safe as we’re going to make it.”

There is still no word as to what caused the leak. Officials said the building is safe to return but the owners decided to shut down for the rest of the day.

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