BURLINGAME (KCBS) — The Embassy Suites Hotel in Burlingame was evacuated early Thursday morning after a carbon monoxide leak was discovered.

About 500 guests of the fully-booked hotel woke up to evacuations alarm just after 12:30 a.m. due to the discovery of high levels of carbon monoxide that fire crews were able to trace to a pool and spa boiler.

“I got up thinking it was a prank and looked around for some hoodlums to stir up and maybe give them some grief,” Jim Heller, a hotel guest said. “Then I looked outside and saw there was first responders with flashlights shinning at us.”

The faulty boiler was taken off-line and the building was ventilated. Guests were let back in the hotel around 5 a.m starting with those who had to catch early flights.

KCBS’ Holly Quan:

Burlingame Fire Chief Dornell said the incident underscored the need for carbon monoxide detectors.

“People need to make sure that you go to the hardware store and you buy a smoke and carbon monoxide detector and put it in your own home because carbon monoxide will kill people and it has in the past.” he said.

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