By John Warren

The Virginian-Pilot

© July 6, 2008

VIRGINIA BEACH

Eight people at an Oceanfront hotel were taken to the hospital with high levels of carbon monoxide Sunday afternoon, Beach fire officials report.

Officials said none of the injuries was considered life-threatening. The incident took place at the Ocean Sands Hotel on 22nd Street and Atlantic Avenue, in a spa area. Fire crews responded after reports of nausea around 11:30 a.m.

Crews discovered an electrical short in a spa motor had caused a ventilation fan to malfunction, fire spokesman Leon Dextradeur said. The fan didn't push carbon monoxide out of the equipment area, Dextradeur said.

The emergency response shut down a portion of the Oceanfront as crews attempted to determine what was making people ill.

Around 9 p.m., fire officials responded to the Rudee Inlet area, for reports of a diesel fuel leak. The source of the leak has not yet been determined, Dextradeur said, and the area has not been evacuated.

John Warren, (757) 446-2309, john.warren@pilotonline.com