21 people taken to hospitals after potential gas leak at Kentucky senior center

Valarie Honeycutt Spears, Lexington Herald-Leader on Jun 18, 2026

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Twenty-one people were taken to hospitals Thursday after a potential gas leak at a senior citizens center in Monticello, Kentucky, said Wayne County Judge-Executive Scott Gehring.

Two of the people were in critical condition at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital at Somerset, Gehring said. The others appeared to be stable.

No fatalities had been reported as of 6 p.m.

Thirteen of the people were taken to Wayne County Hospital, said Joe Murrell, CEO of the hospital. Six of those were admitted to the hospital.

Emergency officials began receiving calls just before noon for people experiencing dizziness, dry mouth, weakness and nausea at the Wayne County Senior Services Center on Columbia Avenue.

People got sick quickly, Gehring said.

The cause of the illnesses has not been confirmed, Gehring said. The Kentucky Fire Marshal’s office is conducting air quality testing.

Potential causes include methane gas or other chemical leak.

“Our priority is ensuring the safety of everyone in and around the affected,” Gehring said.