18 Evaluated Following Carbon Monoxide Incident at Ocean City Hotel

Ocean City, MD - On Friday, August 1, 2025, at approximately 11:05 a.m., emergency responders from the Ocean City 911 Center were dispatched to the Ashore Hotel, located at 10100 Coastal Highway, in Ocean City, Maryland, after a carbon monoxide alarm was activated.

Upon arrival, Ocean City Fire and EMS personnel assessed a total of 18 individuals at the scene. Of these, four adults were transported to Atlantic General Hospital in stable condition. The affected individuals were identified as employees working in a first-floor office adjacent to the building's boiler room.

Ocean City Fire Department personnel cleared the scene at 1:21 p.m. However, an active investigation remained underway, conducted by the Ocean City Fire Marshal's Office, Town of Ocean City Building Inspectors, and representatives from the local gas company.

According to Fire Marshal Joe Sexauer, the source of the carbon monoxide was identified as a boiler located on the ground floor. "At this time, it has been determined that the source of the carbon monoxide was a boiler located on the ground floor of the building," said Sexauer. "Before the boiler can be reactivated, necessary repairs must be completed. This will be followed by a third-party mechanical inspection and an evaluation by the gas company to ensure the system is safe to operate."

Due to the number of individuals requiring simultaneous evaluation, the incident commander declared the event a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). This designation, as per Maryland EMS protocols, signifies that the number of patients temporarily exceeds the capacity of initial EMS resources on-site.

Ryan Whittington, Community & Department Engagement Officer for the Ocean City Fire Department, clarified the use of the term to dispel misinformation spread by some scanner platforms and social media reports.

"Unfortunately, some scanner platforms and social media pages reported the incident as a 'mass casualty' without context, which led to unnecessary fear in the community," said Whittington. "To be clear, there were zero fatalities. The term 'Mass Casualty Incident' simply describes a situation where multiple patients require care beyond the capabilities of the initial EMS response. It does not imply deaths or critical injuries."

This incident underscores the critical importance of carbon monoxide alarms in preventing potentially life-threatening situations. The Ocean City Fire Department is urging all residents, businesses, and property managers to ensure that carbon monoxide alarms are properly installed, regularly tested, and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines and local codes.

For additional information on carbon monoxide safety, visit the Ocean City Fire Department's official website or contact local authorities.