Off-Duty Firefighter Saved Dozens from Deadly Restaurant Gas Leak

Lonnie Wimmer’s night out on his day off turned out to be a lucky break for patrons of the River Ridge Taphouse in Clemmons, NC. The off-duty firefighter noticed that a number of people in the crowd were behaving strangely; holding their heads or stomachs and making frequent trips to the bathroom. The observant Wimmer put the signs together and quickly phoned the fire department.

What happened?

The symptoms that Wimmer noticed all pointed to one culprit; carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The odorless, invisible gas can cause headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and blurred vision among others. The symptoms worsen with exposure, and the carbon monoxide level in the restaurant that night was six times higher than normal thanks a malfunctioning heating system.

Fox News reported, “More than two dozen people were treated by paramedics after showing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning at the River Ridge Tap House restaurant in Clemmons. Forsyth County EMS tells local media that about 30 people who visited the restaurant Saturday night experienced headaches, nausea and vomiting. Fourteen people were taken to the hospital, and the rest were treated and released from the scene.”

Carbon monoxide is dangerous because your body can’t tell the difference between the dangerous compound and oxygen. Inhaled CO replaces the oxygen in your body, which starves your tissues and organs (including your brain). The effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can range from minor physical symptoms to permanent brain damage to death by asphyxiation; Wimmer’s quick action likely saved lives that night.

Protecting your loved ones

Carbon monoxide detectors in the home are common sense, but knowing the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning can help protect you and your family while shopping or dining out. If you notice odd behavior, including confusion and dizziness, unexplained nausea or headache, or muscle weakness, move outside and seek professional medical attention.

Businesses have an obligation to maintain a safe environment for employees and customers; that obligation extends to air quality and safety. If you or your loved one was injured or became ill because of negligent conditions, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. Call the experienced South Carolina personal injury attorneys of McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC at 803-327-7800 or contact us today for a free consultation.