Authorities in Boone, North Carolina have been able to determine that a carbon monoxide leak caused by a water heater is to blame for the deaths of three individuals at a Best Western hotel.
Local television station WSOC reports that the water heater underneath room 225 at the Best Western Plus Blue Ridge Plaza in Boone, North Carolina started leaking toxic gas that was able to seep through an air conditioner unit and through an opening under the gas fireplace.
"One of the avenues was coming from inside the building," Fire Chief Jimmy Isaac said. "Carbon monoxide detectors need to be a priority. Through a hole in the building code, it's not required."
Authorities think that the high carbon monoxide levels in the room caused the deaths of Daryl and Shirley Jenkins, an elderly couple, back in April and also caused the death of Jeffrey Williams, 11, and the hospitalization of his mother last week.
The incident is still being investigated by police.
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