News

Fire officials close Illinois food truck festival over carbon monoxide levels; one hospitalized

January 28, 2019

Fire officials closed a food truck festival last weekend after one person was hospitalized and unsafe carbon monoxide levels were detected in a Kane County Fairgrounds building where the festival was taking place, according to the Daily Herald.

Fire crews responding to an unrelated call Saturday afternoon at the fairgrounds in St. Charles, Illinois, observed exhaust coming from food trucks inside Robinson Hall and decided to take carbon monoxide readings, Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet told the Herald.

Fire officials evacuated and ventilated the building after discovering high levels of carbon monoxide. One person was taken to the hospital; 37 others signed release forms after leaving the building.

Fire officials told attendees they could continue to eat inside if the trucks moved outside, but event organizers decided against that option.

Fire officials were not aware of the event ahead of time because the fairgrounds are privately owned, Schelstreet said.