A gas leak Wednesday prompted the evacuation of the guests staying at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Helen.
The Helen Fire Department received a call around midnight on October 21 about a carbon monoxide alarm. Upon arrival, firefighters used the gas monitor and noted a significant reading of carbon monoxide on the first floor.
Due to the high readings and danger of the situation, firefighters decided for the safety of the guests to evacuate the building, says Helen Fire Chief Jody Prickett.
Helen police and the hotel staff got everyone out of the building. Firefighters found the source of the leak and, with assistance from hotel maintenance, secured it and cut off the leak.
After about 30 minutes, firefighters rechecked the hotel with a gas monitor and noted that levels had dropped to a safe level. Hotel guests were then allowed to return to their rooms.
Prickett says no guests or employees were injured and no one reported feeling sick as a result of the incident.
