Hundreds affected by carbon monoxide exposure at Milligan University

MILLIGAN – More than 200 people were treated Wednesday for carbon monoxide exposure on the Milligan University campus when detectors in a building failed to alarm. Milligan University said in a statement that staff discovered a leak in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse in the morning and evacuated the building. Maintenance personnel and Atmos Energy have since found the source of the problem and stopped the leak. The fieldhouse was closed the rest of the day. In the statement, Milligan University officials said the fieldhouse had carbon monoxide detectors installed. "The Fieldhouse was equipped with multiple carbon monoxide detectors that did not alarm," the statement said. "Milligan's maintenance staff is actively investigating why the detectors did not activate. Additional carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in the Fieldhouse, and testing of all carbon monoxide detectors across campus is underway to confirm proper operation." Ballad Health said in a press release those affected were taken to six different hospitals. These included the Johnson City Medical Center, Niswonger Children's Hospital, Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Franklin Woods Community Hospital, Holston Valley Medical Center and Bristol Regional Medical Center. Ballad Health said it activated its Corporate Emergency Operations Center to support systemwide coordination and response efforts. In addition, an emergency medicine physician was deployed to the Milligan University campus to assist with on-site triage and coordination of care and a registered nurse from the Ballad Health Transfer Center managed Incident Command and the Regional Clinical Command Center, health officials said. Health officials said patients minimally affected by the carbon monoxide exposure could be treated for up to six hours, while those with more significant exposure could be treated from 12 to 24 hours with oxygen therapy.