CLEARWATER, Fla. – More than 20 children and adults fell ill Wednesday afternoon after dangerous carbon monoxide fumes filled an ice skating rink in Clearwater, Fla., 20 miles west of Tampa.
Largo Fire Chief Mike Wallace told Bay News 9 that the alarm was raised when children at the Clearwater Ice Arena started feeling light headed on Wednesday afternoon.
Parents and staff were also affected by the fumes.
A nine-year-old child was transported to Tampa General Hospital for treatment, while four patients were taken to area hospitals by ambulance. Medical staff were evaluating 16 other people who were affected by the fumes at the arena, the report said.
Wallace told the station a malfunctioning natural gas dehumidifier at the rink could be the source of the dangerous fumes
"This may be a mechanical failure. This is a rare occurrence," Wallace said. "There were lethal levels of carbon monoxide [in the arena]."
