A malfunction in some propane-fired trucks reportedly drove carbon monoxide levels high enough to send five people to Addison Gilbert Hospital and forced employees at Mortillaro Lobsters to evacuate their building in Gloucester’s historic Fort neighborhood today.
But four of the employees who went to the hospital were taken only for evaluation after complaining of headaches and other symptoms and then released, while Vincent Mortillaro, owner of longtime Commercial Street business, was treated and released at AGH.
The report of carbon monoxide was called in to Gloucester’s emergency services at 12:38 p.m., and the seven people in the building evacuated. Some drove themselves to AGH, while others were taken by ambulance. Gloucester’s rescue squads called for up to five additional ambulances after arriving at the scene, with Beauport Ambulance, the regular backup for Gloucester’s emergency crews, joining in the response.
Mortillaro had felt ill, and due to existing health concerns he was evaluated first.
“It (was) just a precautionary measure,” said general manager Gino Mortillaro, Vincent’s brother.
When firefighters checked the building, they found carbon monoxide rates ranging from 155 parts per million to as high as 300 ppm. The level considered dangerous to humans is 100 ppm.
The Fire Department ventilated the building, and declared that it was safe to be used as early as later Monday afternoon, provided the trucks were not used, Fire Capt. Tom LoGrande said. LoGrande said the company had plans to have the trucks repaired right away.
For more on this story, look to tomorrow's print and online editions of the Gloucester Daily Times and gloucestertimes.com.
Stephanie Bergman can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3451, or at sbergman@gloucestertimes.com.
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