WILKES-BARRE -- Emergency crews were called to Public Square Tuesday afternoon because of reported high levels of carbon monoxide gas in several businesses, including our Newswatch 16 Wyoming Valley Newsroom.
Several people, including our news crews, were forced to leave the buildings for a time.
Firefighters say the levels have returned to normal and people have been allowed back into the building on Public Square.
The fire chief says the carbon monoxide gas was coming from a vacant business on the square that is currently under construction to become a market.
Firefighters say the construction crew working on the new market was using gas-powered equipment all day. The equipment had been emitting the carbon monoxide, since 10 a.m.
The construction crew told us they had their doors open all day to air out the smell of gas, but most of the businesses along Public Square had their doors closed.
Bob Davis, an employee at Blue Wireless said this scare has him concerned about the construction work at the new market.
"I don't feel safe at all being all the problems they've been having since they've been working over there, causing us nothing but nightmares to be honest with you," Davis said.
The Wilkes-Barre fire chief has ordered the construction crew to stop work until they have electric equipment instead of gas-powered equipment.
The crew told us they should be back Wednesday.