Fort Bragg officials have worked to identify the source of carbon monoxide in on-post housing after a family was taken to Womack Army Medical Center earlier this month, officials said Wednesday.
In a news release, officials said a Fort Bragg family living in a Pope Army Airfield neighborhood went to the installation’s medical center Aug. 4 with symptoms that corresponded with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Officials said the family was checked out and released from care the same day, and that Fort Bragg’s Directorate of Emergency Services, Department of Public Works and housing partner Corvias immediately went to the home to identify the cause.
On Aug. 7, another family living in the same Pope neighborhood filled out an online report to let officials know they had a petroleum odor in their home, officials said.
After investigating the matter, another 86 homes were identified as having a potential carbon monoxide risk, said Col. Phillip Sounia, Fort Bragg’s garrison commander.
“The health and safety of our service members and their families is, and always will be, a top priority for Fort Bragg leadership,” Sounia said. “When they are at risk, it affects the readiness and resiliency of all involved.”
Officials said phone calls and emails were sent to the 86 families followed by face-to-face warnings as the eesidents of the other two homes worked with officials to determine a cause for the suspected carbon monoxide.
Officials said the source was caused by the heating ventilation and air conditioning unit installed in the laundry room with the water heater, with both appliances using gas.
Officials said an investigation revealed the main air intake duct was partially blocked in the homes, and that carbon monoxide levels in the laundry room become dangerous only when the door is closed.
“All residents have been notified on the potential risk and the efforts to mitigate and resolve the issue,” Sounia said. “By working as a team, Fort Bragg Garrison, Corvias, and our residents were able to quickly identify the issue, reduce it and are now working to eliminate it all together.”
Officials said Corvias will remove the doors to the laundry rooms of all 88 homes and conduct tests of unoccupied homes for a quick and permanent solution.
“If our Fort Bragg residents have concerns with their homes, we ask that they continue to contact Corvias or (Directorate of Public Works) Housing to address their concerns,” Sounia said.
Residents can submit a maintenance request by using the new online resident portal, calling 866- 206-1365, or by reporting an issue at their Corvias neighborhood community center.
DPW Housing can be reached through the Fort Bragg website at https://home.army.mil/bragg and clicking on “DPW Housing” under quick links, or call the housing advocate line at 910- 908-4504.
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