Del Mar
A faulty heater in a trailer caused two Circus Vargas chimpanzees to die of carbon monoxide poisoning and a trainer to become ill Thursday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, authorities reported.
Joseph Jerome was taken to the hyperbaric chamber at UC San Diego Medical Center about 10 a.m., where he was treated for the poisoning. He was released from the hospital about 3 p.m.
Jerome and the animals were asleep in a trailer at the fairgrounds, where Circus Vargas employees are staying, when a problem apparently developed in a heater during the night, causing the air to fill with carbon monoxide.
The circus is playing at the fairgrounds this weekend, then goes to Escondido and Chula Vista for shows.
Sheri Smith, a hospital spokeswoman, said Thursday’s incident marked the 24th time since Dec. 10 that the hyperbaric chamber has been used to treat people overcome by carbon monoxide as a result of heater problems.
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