Indian Eatery Closed by City

Following a gas leak Wednesday night at the India Gate restaurant, the city of Cambridge has closed the Harvard Square eatery.

According to signs placed on the restaurant, the Inspectional Services department has declared the building "unsafe" under state code.

Most of the 11 people taken to area hospitals after a carbon monoxide leak at the restaurant have been released, hospital officials said yesterday.

Five of the people injured at the India Gate restaurant were treated and released on Wednesday evening, said Nancy J. Sterling, director of community relations at Mount Auburn Hospital.

Sterling said two of the victims were "transferred to other facilities for further treatment." But she would not comment further on the identity of the patients or the reasons for which they were transferred.

Four more people who were taken to the Cambridge Hospital emergency room were treated and released the same night, said Linda Chin, associate administrator at the hospital.

Several Harvard affiliates were examined at University Health Services but were not hospitalized, said Dr. Peter J. Zuromskis '66, chief of acute care services.

"We did evaluate a small number of Harvard community members who had not had major exposure to carbon monoxide, and they were released after evaluation at the University Health Services emergency room, "Zuromskis added.

A total of 11 people received treatment at area hospitals following the leak. Fire officials had reported earlier that ten people had been sent to hospitals.

According to Zuromskis, people exposed to carbon monoxide often require close observation for 24 hours after exposure.

"Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying element in the blood, and displaces oxygen." Zuromskis said. "With a serious exposure to carbon monoxide, symptoms may worsen with time and patients require intensive-care unit observation."

It is unclear when the restaurant will reopen.