Carbon monoxide, methane, toxic gas found in Ypsilanti apartment after resident found unresponsive

YPSILANTI, Mich. – A toxic gas leak has hospitalized a resident inside a Ypsilanti apartment.

The incident occurred on Wednesday (June 25) when the Ypsilanti Fire Department responded to a medical call on the 600 block of E. Michigan Avenue.

First responders said they entered a unit to find an individual lying unresponsive.

Police said a carbon monoxide monitor attached to the bag of responding HVA personnel alarmed while inside.

Officials said additional units arrived at the scene while the individual was taken to a Metro Detroit hospital.

First responders reported measuring increasing amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4) inside the apartment.

The Ypsilanti Fire Department stated that they found no hazardous readings in any of the neighboring apartments.

The Washtenaw County Hazardous Materials Team and DTE arrived on the scene as crews continued to search the apartment and inspect items found inside.

Officials said carbon monoxide readings continued to rise, reaching over 200 ppm, though crews found no definitive source.

The hazmat team was said to have then activated the A/C unit, which they discovered was emitting high readings of freon, a refrigerant commonly found in A/C systems.

Officials stated that they determined the released freon had been degrading into phosgene, a toxic gas, which they also believe to be the cause of the high CO and CH4 readings.

Officials stated that the breaker to the apartment was then shut off, with crews instructing the property owner to replace the A/C unit and to keep the apartment unoccupied until the work was completed.

Police said members of the city’s building department have been dispatched to the property to oversee the A/C unit’s replacement and will be inspecting the property.

Officials said the individual who was found inside the unit is expected to recover.

Police said Ypsilanti would like to remind residents of the importance of proactive maintenance.

The Ypsilanti Fire Department is also reminding residents that they can schedule a free home safety inspection by calling 734-482-9778, as well as utilizing free smoke and CO alarms provided by the YFD.