Milligan University carbon monoxide leak sends over 200 to Tennessee hospitals
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Hundreds of people were evaluated and treated at various healthcare facilities following a carbon monoxide leak at Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on Wednesday.
Ballad Health said it was actively caring for more than 200 people across six Ballad Health hospitals as of 18:00 local time.
Although the total number of people affected has not yet been announced, teams continue to intervene in the incident. It is unclear how many people are students and staff.
Milligan University told Fox News Digital it detected a carbon monoxide leak at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse Wednesday morning.
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Steve Lacy Fieldhouse at Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tenn. (Google Maps)
School officials said the building was immediately evacuated and students and staff were transported for medical evaluation.
The source of the leak was identified, repaired, and levels returned to normal, according to the university.
Milligan officials said the field building is equipped with multiple carbon monoxide detectors that do not sound an alarm, and maintenance personnel are actively investigating why the detectors were not activated.
Additional carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in the building, and testing is ongoing to verify that all carbon monoxide detectors on campus are working properly.
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Hundreds of people were hospitalized after a carbon monoxide leak at Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on Wednesday.
“The health and safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. We are careful and intentional in our communications to ensure all information shared is accurate,” the school said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We are grateful to Ballad Health for their partnership and concern and appreciate the prayers and support of our community.”
Ballad Health released a statement saying all hospitals are fully prepared to provide care to patients.
Following the assessment, patients were provided with care appropriate to their needs, the hospital said.
Some patients may need longer-term observation or treatment, including oxygen support and long-term monitoring, officials said. For those severely exposed, treatment includes oxygen therapy and monitoring for 12 to 24 hours.
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The university said carbon monoxide detectors did not raise an alarm. (iStock)
Patients with minimal symptoms may require observation for up to six hours.
Ballad Health said it activated its Corporate Emergency Operations Center to support systemwide coordination and response efforts to manage the “mass incident.”
An emergency medicine physician has also been assigned to the Milligan University campus to assist with on-site triage and coordination of care. Milligan is a small, private Christian university located about two hours east of Knoxville.
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The university said a mechanical contractor confirmed the system was shut down safely and that the school’s maintenance team would coordinate with the fire department Thursday morning to conduct a thorough final inspection before reopening the building.
carbon monoxide a It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas that can cause high levels of unconsciousness and death.
Symptoms of exposure include headache, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and nausea.
