HAZARDOUS GAS EMERGENCY: Hotel evacuated… dozens of guests saved from exposure to lethal carbon monoxide levels…
HYANNIS – According to Hyannis Fire Captain Eric Farrenkopf, “If it wasn’t for that carbon monoxide detector, it might have been a different story in the morning.”
But thankfully today’s story isn’t different, and that all 41 registered hotel guests, including very young children, are all reportedly in good health tonight.
At about 4:35PM, Hyannis Fire Department received a call from an alarm company about an activated carbon monoxide detector sounding in the basement of the International Inn on Main Street.
Captain Farrenkopf, one of the first firefighters to enter the basement area, immediately backed out after receiving a very strong reading on his hand held carbon monoxide detector, deciding he needed an air pack if he was going to proceed any further.
Firefighters quickly learned of high dangerous gas readings throughout the entire building, including the basement, first floor, and second floor. There were guests staying on both the first and second floors, and firefighters immediately pulled the fire alarm and evacuated the building.
The lethal gas was believed to be coming from the basement area where there are three boilers used to provide hot water to the hotel facilities, which includes a number of Jacuzzis located in the guest rooms…
Firefighters entered with masks and air supplies, opening bedroom windows and ventilating the hotel with powerful fans.
Extra firefighters responded to the scene to assist, and at one point mutual aid reportedly responded to provide Hyannis FD station coverage.
National Grid Supervisor Greg Anderson reportedly responded and shut off all gas until the situation could be further investigated by the Town of Barnstable gas inspector. Anderson also assisted Hyannis firefighters with monitoring the dangerously high carbon monoxide levels.
It took firefighters about two and a half hours to completely ventilate the building to a point where it was safe for people to reenter.
Carbon monoxide levels were recorded well above 100 parts per million, but were estimated to easily have been in the 400 PPM range, or even higher…
Had the boilers continued to operate, especially when guests returned to their rooms before and after dinner, when the demand for hot water would likely be higher, the dangerous gas levels would have continued to climb.
Guest would initially experience a slight headache, tiredness, and general fatigue. Some would experience nausea and dizziness. Depending on the levels and circumstances, after about two to three hours guests would begin to lose consciousness and die.
Reportedly, there was a workman in the boiler room earlier in the day. What he was working on is still uncertain.
The guests were relocated to another building on the Inn’s property…
The incident will be further investigated by the Town of Barnstable gas inspector tomorrow.
For Captain Farrenkopf, todays carbon monoxide readings were some of the highest he has ever responded to…
HN will provide updates as they become available.
In other news:
Two NH men locked up after passing out in van parked across from police headquarters…
HYANNIS – At about 2:00AM on Tuesday morning, Barnstable police officers responded to the end of their driveway were they had come across two unresponsive males in a white van. Officers were initially unable to wake either man and immediately called Hyannis Rescue to assist.
Once finally awake, one of the men reportedly became belligerent and disorderly toward first responders who were just trying to help.
Taylor Dunton, age 23, of Jaffrey NH, was arrested for Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, and Resisting Arrest. He was also held in protective custody until he sobered up. Dunton also reportedly injured himself while in the process of acting out. He had a cut above his left eye and was transported to CCH for treatment.
The man in the driver’s seat, also from New Hampshire, was also highly intoxicated and held in protective custody for his own good.
Police believe the men were under the influence of both alcohol and drugs.
The following video highlights the unusual scene which occured right across the street from police headquarters…
[Press play… Select HD in the settings and enlarge for best quality…]
In other news:
Two taken to CCH after collision with a Town Taxi… [VIDEO]
HYANNIS – Barnstable police are investigating an accident where a Town Taxi driver indicated he was cut off by a car that pulled out and then suddenly crossed back right in front of his cab.
Monday evening at about 11:15PM, police and rescue responded to a two car accident right in front of Pufferbellies on Route 28.
The cabby complained of a sore right arm but declined further treatment from rescue.
The driver of the second vehicle was not injured, but his two passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to CCH for further treatment.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
The following video highlights the accident scene.
[Press play… Select HD in the settings and enlarge for best quality…]
HN NOTE: Today I ran into a young man who has been featured on HN at least a couple of times. He mentioned one of the photos I recently took of him. He was in handcuffs and not having a good day in those photos. I smiled and asked him if he was doing better today. We had a good conversation and I'm really glad he has hope for getting his act together.
Many years ago, I lived on an isolated island with some of the most troubled juvenile delinquents this state had to offer. There were accomplished criminals and the occasional gangster. All of the boys had their demons, some having done horrible crimes... But what amazed me was that in each young man it wasn't unusual to find endearing and redeeming qualities. I tried to focus on those qualities when teaching the teenage boys their high school math, English, and history. Some of these boys were actually very bright.
To make a long story short, they did studies on the then 30-year-old Penikese Island project, finding that most of the time, approximately 8 of 10 times, the program failed to make a strong enough impact to where these high risk boys would never ever reoffend. We learned the program wasn't a cure all. Which wasn't very encouraging on the surface...
But we also learned that, amazingly, 2 out of every 10 boys never ever reoffended!
Never.
(Perhaps more on the lessons learned on Penikese some other time...)
But it was good seeing this young man today. He told me of his desire to turn his life around. And in that particular moment, I had no reason not to believe him.
I wish him luck. Who knows, he might have the balls and brains to be one of the "2 out of 10" that I mentioned... And it won't make me sad to never ever take his picture in handcuffs again. :)
But if you break the law I will. It's not personal. It's just what I do.
7/9/2015
Robert Bastille,
P.S. – Today's HyTown Vignette is brought to you by Thompson Twins... [Feeling kind of sad and uninspired? Hit that play button... couldn't do any harm... 😉 ]
