Five people hospitalized due to toxic gas - Five hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak in Ludwigsburg apartment
Five people in Ludwigsburg were rushed to hospital after exposure to toxic gas in their apartment. Firefighters later confirmed the presence of high carbon monoxide levels, likely caused by a faulty chimney.
The incident involved a 25-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man, and three children aged between three and nine. All were taken to hospital after inhaling the colourless, odourless gas, which is nearly impossible to detect without equipment.
Investigators traced the leak to a structural flaw in the chimney. Carbon monoxide had built up inside the flat, posing a severe risk to the occupants. Authorities have since blocked access to the property until further notice. Before the apartment can be used again, a **Schornsteinfeger** (certified chimney sweep) must inspect and approve the repairs. While no fixed timeline exists for such cases, similar inspections and clearances usually take **two to four weeks** from the initial assessment.
The affected family remains under medical care while the chimney undergoes mandatory checks. Officials have warned residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide, emphasising the need for regular chimney maintenance. The apartment will stay sealed until the sweep confirms it is safe to reoccupy.
