13 stricken by carbon monoxide leak

WEST ALLIS, Wis., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A total of 13 people were sent to the hospital after being exposed to carbon monoxide at a bowling alley in West Allis, Wis., authorities said.

Adam Beeson, a spokesman for Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel two of the patients remained for observation following Wednesday's incident while 10 people were treated and released.

An unidentified St. Luke's official said another individual refused treatment and left the hospital Wednesday.

Fire officials said after police and firefighters responded to an emergency call at Riviera Lanes Wednesday afternoon, carbon monoxide level readings of 240 parts per million were found inside the bowling alley.

Jeffrey Niezgoda, director of wound care and hyperbaric medicine at St. Luke's, told the Journal Sentinel that all dwellings should have carbon monoxide levels of zero.

Niezgoda confirmed all treated victims, whose ages ranged from 23 to 86, tested positive for significant carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Journal Sentinel said a furnace at the bowling alley has been tabbed as the possible source of the carbon monoxide leak.