By Khalida Sarwari
Two people are in critical condition after a carbon monoxide leak at a Watsonville apartment complex Sunday night.
The leak was reported at about 11:42 p.m. at a Victorian building in the first block of Marchant Street, according to the Watsonville Fire Department.
Fire crews responded and, after detecting a gas odor emanating from the building, began evacuating tenants.
Firefighters had to force entry into a unit on the first floor, where they found a man and woman who appeared to be in their late teens or early 20s unconscious, Battalion Chief Bob Martin Del Campo said.
Both were taken to Watsonville Community Hospital, where they were in critical condition, according to the fire department.
Meanwhile the American Red Cross responded to provide temporary housing to 16 tenants who were displaced.
PG&E crews are testing all gas appliances in the building to find the source of the leak.
The fire department is also working with the city building department to examine the apartment complex for code-related issues.
Martin Del Campo advised residents to always maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. An average of 30 to 40 residents die each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning, Martin Del Campo said.