News briefs
December 6, 2005
The carbon monoxide leak that closed down the ROOTS homeless shelter on 43rd Avenue and University Way last Thursday was caused by a tiny hole in the furnace and gas meter outside the building, said Jack Olive, senior pastor at University Temple United Methodist Church. The shelter is located in one section of the church's building.
The Seattle Fire Department responded to reports of a carbon monoxide buildup inside the shelter at 9 p.m. Thursday, a hour after volunteers arrived to set up for the evening. Volunteers reported watery eyes and scratchy throats almost as soon as they entered the building.
"When [the fire department] arrived, they found a small leak and responded appropriately," Olive said. "It was never a dangerous problem."
After being evacuated, the shelter was closed for the night. Youth who had hoped to stay there were given bus passes and phone numbers of other shelters to try.
Some youth said they did not find another place to stay and had to spend the night on the street.
"By the time they told us what was happening, there was nowhere else to go," said one, who asked not to be named. The shelter re-opened Friday evening.
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