A scary situation for dozens of kids Friday as they fall victim to carbon monoxide poisoning. About 30 elementary and middle school age children were taken to the emergency room after they were overcome by fumes at an overnight retreat at the First Congregational Church in Jamestown.
Jamestown firefighters are continuing to investigate how the noxious gas leaked into the church. Until they figure out how it happened, they're asking people to stay out of the building.
What we do know is that sometime around 8 am, several children began complaining of nausea and starting throwing up. But when 10 kids all started showing the same symptoms, the pastor called 911.
All 30 kids at the retreat were taken to the emergency room. The majority were given oxygen to help them recover. Firefighters say it's a good thing the kids got out of the building when they did.
Chief nursing officer Cindy Gohner said, "There were some people who did pass out and immediately improved after being taken out of the situation."
Jim Reuther, Jamestown fire chief said "It wouldn't have been much longer before this turned into a bad situation. Not a good situation to begin with, but it could've been much worse."
Hospital officials tell me most victims are fully recovered from the fumes, but some of the cases are serious. The hospital's chief nursing officer says five patients have been transferred to other hospitals.
At least 2 people were taken by life flight to Hennepin County medical center. Two other patients have been admitted for overnight stays at the Jamestown hospital.
Fire chief Jim Reuther says crews got a reading of 379 parts per million as soon as they arrived on scene. He says people can die at that level if they breathe it in for a few hours. Reuther adds most homes and businesses normally have between 1 and 3 parts per million.
Three of the children and one adult were flown to Minneapolis to be treated with special high-pressure units. Lester says the church will be inspected Monday. She says Sunday services have been canceled.
