Carbon monoxide leak in US university, over 200 people evacuated from Tennessee campus

Over 200 people were evacuated and treated at several healthcare facilities following a carbon monoxide leak on Wednesday at Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tennessee.

Ballad Health said that as of 6:00 pm (local time) on Wednesday, it was actively caring for more than 200 people across Ballad Health hospitals. Crews are now continuing to respond to the exposure, though the total number of people affected has not yet been released. It is unclear how many are students and staff members.

Amid the chaos, Michigan University told Fox News that it identified a carbon monoxide leak on Wednesday morning in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

Following complaints, the university building was immediately evacuated, and students and employees were then transported to nearby hospitals for medical evaluation, school officials told Fox News.

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The authorities noted that the source of the leak was identified, repaired, and the levels have returned to normal. Meanwhile, Milligan officials said the fieldhouse was equipped with multiple carbon monoxide detectors that did not alarm, and maintenance staff are actively investigating why the detectors did not activate.

Additional carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in the building, and testing of all carbon monoxide detectors across campus is underway to confirm proper operation.

“The health and safety of our students and employees remain our highest priority. We are being diligent and deliberate in our communications to ensure that all information shared is accurate,” the school wrote in a statement to Fox News. “We are grateful to Ballad Health for their partnership and care, and we appreciate the prayers and support from our community.”

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Nearby hospitals continue to remain alert

Ballad Health released a separate statement, noting that all hospitals remain fully prepared to take care of patients. Following the evacuation, the hospital said that they were provided with the care appropriate for their needs.

However, it noted that some patients may require more extended observation or treatment, including supplemental oxygen and longer-term monitoring. It is pertinent to note that Patients with minimal symptoms may require up to six hours of observation.

In its statement, Ballad Health said in order to manage the “mass event,” it activated its Corporate Emergency Operations Centre to support system-wide coordination and response efforts. Apart from this, an emergency medicine physician was also deployed to the Milligan University campus to assist with on-site triage and coordination of care. Milligan is a small, private Christian university located roughly two hours east of Knoxville.