CLEMMONS, N.C. -- More than two dozen people were treated by paramedics Saturday night after showing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning at a restaurant.
There were about 30 people at River Ridge Tap House experiencing headaches and nausea with vomiting, according to Forsyth County EMS.
14 people were taken to the hospital, and the rest were treated and released on scene, officials said.
Assistant Chief Steve Williams with the Lewisville Fire Department said the gas started leaking because of a malfunction in the restaurant's heating system.
The carbon monoxide made it's way through the restaurant's ventilation system and into a private dining room where a birthday party with kids was taking place.
According to Chief Williams, a firefighter who happened to be with the party group noticed people in the room were feeling dizzy, nauseated, and experiencing headaches, so he called the fire department.
Stephanie Miner and her friends were out for a girls night, but their night on the town ended in an ambulance!
"It just scares you to think, 'Oh my gosh what is happening to me? Did I get infected by that much? What's going to happen,'" said Miner. "It was not fun!"
When fire officials arrived, they confirmed the level of carbon monoxide was six times the normal amount.
Officials closed off the room to the rest of the restaurant, and shut down the heating pump where the leak started.
Miner and her friends, Sherry McComb and Kristen Parrow each spent over an hour being treated by paramedics on scene.
"I'm just glad it's over and we are all standing here. Physically standing here," said Miner. "That's good!"
Jenna Edwards, Marketing Coordinator for the River Ridge Taproom says they called their heating technician and the problem was fixed that same night.
"Oh, we deeply regret what happened! I feel sorry for everybody that was back here," said Edwards. "My biggest concern was for the children that were back here."
Edwards says the party room is now safe and back open to customers.
Firefighters say the gas is no longer leaking and there is no threat to the restaurant.
However, McComb says she still feels sick more than 24 hours after the incident.
"I have been sick all day with a horrible headache and stomachache and nauseous," said McComb. "I've been in bed most of the day."
Carbon Monoxide has no odor.
So nobody who worked at the restaurant knew what was going on.
Chief Williams says the restaurant didn't have a carbon monoxide detector, but says that is common for businesses.
Williams said a component of the restaurant's smoke alarm was beeping, but it had nothing to do with carbon monoxide detection.
The restaurant has ordered a new part to fix that problem.
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