Carbon monoxide scare sends 17 to hospital

Investigators believe a gasoline-powered generator running a fan for inflatable playhouses produced carbon monoxide at a child’s birthday party, sending 17 people to a hospital.

Children were playing in two large Moonbounce balloon playhouses kept inflated by the fan, Fire Department Capt. John Cleary said Sunday.

Six of those sickened at Saturday’s party were ages 3 to 16.

None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

Most of those who were sickened were expected to be released Sunday, Cleary said. Two children were being treated in a hyperbaric chamber and it wasn’t clear when they would be released.

The incident happened inside the H & H Community Development Center.

Although the investigation was still under way, officials believe the generator was to blame, Cleary said.