Two fire engines and two fire rescue units with around 25 firefighters attended a carbon monoxide leak from a basement boiler room at a hotel on Lexham Gardens in Kensington.
Four men, nine women and two children suffering from possible effects of carbon monoxide poisoning were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service. A further 150 people were evacuated from the hotel.
Firefighters used specialist equipment to carry out a systematic sweep of the building to check for elevated readings of chemical substances. Crews ensured no elevated readings remained before leaving the scene.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “You can't taste, see or smell CO fumes, but it can kill in minutes.
"It's really important to fit a CO alarm in all rooms containing fuel burning appliances, ensuring that the alarm is able to be heard throughout the property. When sleeping, it's important that your alarm can wake you if it sounds.
"It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and learn what to do if you suspect someone may be affected.”
The Brigade was called at 0223 and the incident was over for firefighters by 0648. Crews from Kensington, Hammersmith, Euston and Bethnal Green fire stations attended the scene.
CO poisoning symptoms:
These symptoms also apply to your pets – so keep an eye on them too. Poisoning symptoms can easily be confused with just feeling unwell, which is why CO poisoning is so dangerous, and so often missed.