Best Western hotel evacuated after serious carbon monoxide leak

One person remains in hospital today following a "life threatening" carbon monoxide leak resulting in the evacuation of over 200 guests at a Pennsylvania hotel on Sunday.

A reported 29 guests were taken to hospital and assessed for carbon monoxide inhalation with one remaining hospitalized overnight, after the leak at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Dunmore, PA.

Dunmore police were first called to the hotel after two guests fell ill, and the fire department were then called out shortly after 9am.

The carbon monoxide leak was discovered "stemming from a furnace" said Dunmore Fire Chief Christopher DeNaples.

DeNaples said the hotel will remain closed until a building code enforcement inspector assesses it later today.

Melissa Finegan, a first responder on the scene to test guests’ CO levels called it a serious leak.

"It’s toxic, poisonous, and they could pass out; it could be life threatening," she said.

Best Western Hotels customer service staff have been working to relocate guests at other area hotels and cancel upcoming reservations while the hotel remains closed.

It took several hours before guests were allowed back into the hotel to remove personal belongings.