Carbon monoxide forces partial evacuation in Wauconda

A heater emitting carbon monoxide into a pool area caused part of a Wauconda health care facility to be evacuated to other areas of the building while emergency responders investigated, fire officials said.

Wauconda firefighters responded to an alarm at the facility at 6:46 p.m. that detected carbon monoxide in the therapeutic center in an area near the swimming pool, pool chemicals and pool heating equipment, fire officials said.

Because of the odor of chlorine and the possibility of an unknown chemical release, a still alarm was issued, bringing in help from additional fire departments.

Firefighters eventually determined that no chemicals were released and that a heater emitting carbon monoxide caused the alarm. Maintenance personnel shut the heater off, fire officials said. Firefighters left the facility at 9:15 p.m.