Port Arthur firefighters were sent to 111 Houston Ave, near the port at about 2 p.m. JBS Packing Inc. is located at the address.
PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Twenty people were transported by ambulance to four southeast Texas hospitals Monday afternoon after a carbon monoxide leak at JBS Packing Inc., with victims reportedly vomiting and passing out, according to fire officials.
Port Arthur firefighters responded to the facility at 111 Houston Ave. near the port at approximately 2 p.m. after reports of a carbon monoxide release, Port Arthur Interim Deputy Fire Chief Antonio Mitchell told 12News.
“We are working a scene with multiple patients,” Mitchell said. Firefighters were working to locate the source of the leak, he added.
Port Arthur Interim Fire Chief Robert Havens said victims were “nauseous, lightheaded, some passed out and some vomited” from exposure to what officials believe were methane and carbon monoxide contaminants from a forklift.
Multiple ambulances were observed leaving the facility as emergency responders worked the scene.
The Port of Port Arthur, located next door to the JBS facility, was not impacted by the incident, according to CEO Larry Kelley.
The investigation into the source of the carbon monoxide leak is ongoing.