A carbon monoxide leak occurred at Milligan College in Elizabethton, Tennessee, on Wednesday, leading to the hospitalization of hundreds for testing and treatment.
As of 6 p.m. local time, Ballad Health reported that more than 200 individuals were receiving care across its six hospitals. The total number of affected individuals has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear how many were students or staff.
The university confirmed the leak was detected at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Wednesday morning. Immediately, officials evacuated the building, and those affected were taken for medical evaluations.
Milligan University stated that while the cause of the leak has been identified and fixed, the carbon monoxide detectors in the facility did not trigger alarms. Maintenance teams are investigating this issue. To enhance safety, additional detectors are being installed, and testing of all existing units is underway.
“Our students’ and staff’s health and safety is our utmost priority. We aim to communicate accurately and effectively,” a university spokesman stated. They expressed gratitude for the care provided by Ballad Health and the support from the community.
Ballad Health has indicated that all hospitals are well equipped to handle the surge in patients. Those with mild symptoms may need up to six hours of observation, while others could require longer care, potentially including oxygen therapy and monitoring for 12 to 24 hours.
This incident prompted the activation of Ballad Health’s Corporate Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response. Emergency medicine professionals were dispatched to aid in on-site care management. Milligan, a small Christian college situated about two hours east of Knoxville, is set to conduct a thorough inspection of the fieldhouse before reopening.
Carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, can be extremely dangerous, leading to unconsciousness or even death in high concentrations. Common symptoms of exposure include headaches, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, and nausea.
