6 hospitalized by high CO levels at London community centre undergoing renovations

Six people were taken to hospital on Monday morning after a community centre in London, Ont.'s Old East Village was evacuated due to high carbon monoxide levels.

Firefighters responded to Boyle Memorial Community Centre at 530 Charlotte Ave. around 9:30 a.m. ET.

Everyone inside evacuated the building, the London Fire Department said in a social media post.

Seven people were assessed at the scene by Middlesex-London Paramedic Services and six were transported from the scene, city officials said. No information was provided about the severity of their injuries.

The seven are all contractors who were working at the facility to replace and repair its gymnasium floor, and a piece of equipment they were using to strip the floor resulted in the high CO levels, the city's statement read.

"Today was the first day of construction work, which is expected to be complete by the end of June," city officials added. The building was closed to the public for the work, and no city staff were inside at the time.

"London Fire Department crews have ventilated the building, and it will remain closed and secured until the Ministry of Labour attends the site and clears it for reopening."

Two members of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development could be seen at the facility early Monday afternoon.

"A ministry inspector and an occupational hygienist have been assigned to the case. As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide further details at this time," the ministry said in a statement.

London Health Sciences Centre said in a statement that it briefly activated a Code Orange Alert "in response to an external incident that had the potential to result in many patients requiring care."

"While a formal Code Orange was not called, the alert served as a precautionary measure. An all-clear has now been issued."

The fire department used the incident as an opportunity to stress the importance of carbon monoxide detectors.

"Londoners are reminded to have CO alarms if they have a home with a fuel burning appliance, fire place or attached garage," fire officials said in a social media post.