Carbon Monoxide Leak Hospitalizes Elderly Brighton CoupleCarbon Monoxide Leak Hospitalizes Elderly Brighton Couple

2/18/14 - Several Brighton area families had to be evacuated after a failed boiler led to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in their apartment building. Brighton Area Fire Authority Deputy Chief Michael Evans says an elderly couple living in an apartment off of Grand River near Superior Drive called 911 about 6:15 Monday night and reported feeling unwell. Responding emergency personnel determined there were extremely high levels of carbon monoxide in all of the building’s nine units. A quick inspection found a malfunctioning boiler that had reportedly suffered previous damage from a fire and was also leaving a scent of natural gas. Firefighters spent several hours airing out the building until the air quality was within safe limits. The elderly couple was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital and admitted for carbon monoxide poisoning. They have since been upgraded to stable condition. Because the building was without heat, only three of the other six families living there were allowed back inside as they had adequate and safe electric heaters. The rest were taken care of either by the Livingston County Chapter of the American Red Cross or family members. Firefighters also installed smoke alarms in the building as the old ones were not functioning. Evans said a follow-up investigation was expected by the county and Brighton Township building departments. (JK)