Carbon Monoxide Scare Leads To Evacuation Of Townhomes In Northern Westchester

First responders from the Chappaqua Fire Department responded to Chappaqua Crossing off Bedford Road shortly before 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 5, when a transformer exploded, causing high levels of carbon monoxide.

According to officials from the Chappaqua Fire Department, upon arrival at the building, they found an electric vault smoking, and “extremely high levels of carbon monoxide” on the first floor with a “smoky haze and a strong odor of burning electric.”  

Wearing breathing protection, firefighters searched 19 apartments, seven of which were evacuated, 12 of which were unoccupied. The Westchester County Department of Emergency Service, Westchester County Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross assisted in providing evacuated residents shelter.

Fire crews proceeded to ventilate the building to ensure that the carbon monoxide was removed, and the scene was turned over to the New Castle Building Department. All crews cleared the scene shortly before 2 p.m. on Sunday. No injuries were reported.

Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless and can lead to symptoms similar to those of the flu, including dizziness, headache, and nausea. Winter tends to be the time officials most often deal with cases of potential carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty heating systems, but officials said the chemical can originate from any number of appliances.

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