Carbon monoxide forces evacuation in N. Aurora

Seven businesses on Oak Street in North Aurora were evacuated about 7 p.m. Tuesday by the North Aurora Fire Department due to dangerously high carbon monoxide levels.

Bureau chief Eric Ekstrom said the fire department had to evacuate Boca Burritos at 929 Oak St. after readings showed carbon monoxide levels at 170 parts per million.

According to Ekstrom, normal levels are 0-10 parts per million, and the restaurant levels could have been lethal.

Ekstrom said the fire department arrived at Boca Burritos around 6:57 p.m. Tuesday after reports from two residents that the restaurant was without power and using two generators, which can cause high carbon monoxide levels.

The fire department tested 10 other businesses and evacuated seven, including Boca Burritos. Firefighters also assessed 42 people for symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, but no one asked for medical attention.

The fire department was on the scene for about 2½ hours before tests showed that levels had reached normal levels and people were allowed back into the buildings.

Boca Burritos was instructed not to use the generators, Ekstrom said. It is not known why the restaurant had no power.