Reno, NV – More than 80 people from the El Cortez Hotel in downtown Reno were allowed to return after elevated carbon monoxide level forced its evacuation on Saturday, the Reno Fire Department reported.
Two malfunctioning water heaters were identified as the culprits, Battalion Chief Richard Nachtsheim said. They were turned off and the El Cortez is arranging for their repair, Nachtsheim said.
The El Cortez manager was not available for comment on Sunday morning but a person who answered their telephone indicated they are still working on repairs.
No one required significant medical treatment after the exposure to carbon monoxide, Nachtsheim said.
“From the fire department’s stand point, the problem was identified and the offending building system was shut down,” Nachtsheim said.