SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) -- The Syracuse Academy of Science did not have carbon monoxide alarms in the cafeteria where a school employee was found dead and five others were hospitalized due to possible poisoning, an inspection by the Syracuse Fire and Codes Departments found.
The determination released Tuesday night is in direct contradiction with what a school administration told NewsChannel 9 on Tuesday afternoon.
Answering questions, a school administrator wrote: "We want to assure the public that our building, including the cafeteria, is equipped with CO detectors..."
The inspection found some CO monitors in other parts of the high school building.
Later Tuesday, the Syracuse Fire Department said its investigators identified an improperly vented kitchen appliance as the source of elevated carbon monoxide levels.
When the body was discovered by another staff member Tuesday morning, Jan. 7, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors worn by firefighters went off when they entered the building.
As the building was being evacuated, other staff members working in the kitchen complained of symptoms possibly caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Of the 12 people examined by ambulance services, five were taken to the hospital.
While carbon monoxide poisoning is a prime suspicion, it might be another day before the autopsy proves exactly how the school school janitor died.
When asked about students' claims that they heard a detector chirping the day before, the school confirms a low battery was replaced.
Late Tuesday, a school spokesperson disputed suspicions that the man's death was caused the carbon monoxide leak, saying it "appears" to be "unrelated."
When checking on the claim, police said the man's autopsy is still pending and no cause of death has been determined. The victim's name has not been released.
The man, who was scheduled to work from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday night, Jan. 6, is thought to have died before the end of his shift but wasn't found until the next morning.
The City of Syracuse is requiring the school to remain closed pending the installation and approval of more carbon monoxide alarms, along with the submission of a safety certification of the kitchen equipment by a licensed professional approved by the Division of Code Enforcement.
The school campus is on Park Avenue in Syracuse, across from Harrison Bakery.
