7 Taken to Hospitals After Carbon Monoxide Problem at Restaurant

Seven people were taken to area hospitals Tuesday night after being sickened by carbon monoxide at a Severna Park restaurant, authorities say.

Anne Arundel County Fire Department units were called about 6:15 p.m. to the Noodles and Company at 552 Ritchie Highway South on a report of employees feeling dizzy and light headed. Firefighters detected elevated carbon monoxide levels in the restaurant and adjoining businesses.

Two patients were taken by paramedics to the Hyperbaric Chamber at Shock Trauma, two patients were taken to the University of Maryland Medical Center, two patients were taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center and one person was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center. None of the patients exhibited life-threatening symptoms, fire officials said.

The problem is believed to have been caused by a malfunctioning kitchen vent hood.

Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, natural gas, and propane burn incompletely or are not properly ventilated, the fire department says.

In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide. Homeowners should install CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, experts recommend.