Carbon Monoxide From Running Car Affects Three Neighboring Condos

A Madison woman wasn’t sure why her carbon monoxide detector was sounding, but she did the right thing by calling 911 and evacuating the building.
 
Firefighters met her outside before bringing their air monitor into the residence. Their meters detected carbon monoxide at a concentration of 300 parts per million. MG&E also responded to the residence and assisted in identifying the source of the odorless, colorless gas.
 
As firefighters ventilated the residence, MG&E detected carbon monoxide readings just outside the next unit. The neighbor there allowed firefighters inside to take a closer look. As they opened the garage access door, MG&E’s air monitor readings spiked to 3,200 parts per million. The residence was immediately evacuated and ventilated until air quality returned to normal and safe levels.
 
Firefighters and MG&E identified the carbon monoxide source to be a vehicle that had been running in the garage unbeknownst to its owner.
 
Crews walked over to check the other adjacent neighboring unit to make sure it was unaffected by the carbon monoxide build-up. They did find readings at 5 parts per million and had the resident open their windows to release the low levels of CO.