First responders were called to the Chewy Fulfillment Center in northwest Ocala on July 14. Several people were checked by medical officials, and one person was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
According to a news release from Ocala Fire Rescue, the agency went to Chewy, 3380 NW 35th Avenue Road, to attend to a person experiencing lightheadedness. As medical personnel were tending to the individual, the news release said, “a carbon monoxide alarm integrated into their medical equipment sounded, prompting an immediate investigation.”
Medical officials evacuated the building for safety reasons and additional units were called to the location, the news release states.
Once more first responders arrived, the release said, crews “used gas monitors throughout the extensive 600,000-square-foot facility and confirmed the presence of a toxic, odorless gas.”
The Ocala Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Office assisted.
Continuing with their investigation, officials “identified the possibility of hydrogen off-gassing from forklift batteries, which can trigger similar alarm responses and symptoms,” the release notes. OFR firefighters “removed the forklifts from the building and began ventilating the facility, noting a decrease in the gas concentration per million on the gas monitor.”
Fire officials said six people were evaluated by medical teams, and one person was transported to the hospital. The others did not require further treatment. Fire officials said the building was closed for several hours so first responders could detect what caused the problem.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: One person taken to hospital after incident at Chewy Fulfillment Center
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner | USA TODAY Network
