Raleigh, N.C. — Eight people at a Raleigh motel were treated for carbon monoxide exposure early Tuesday.

Five guests at the Super 8, 2501 S. Saunders St., reported problems after a water heater in the laundry room malfunctioned, authorities said.

The five guests left the motel and tried to drive themselves to a hospital, but they couldn’t find one, Wake County Fire Assistant Chief Phillip Woodlief said. Emergency workers picked them up on Glenwood Avenue and took them to WakeMed for treatment.

Additional emergency workers went to the Super 8 and evacuated the motel, which had 37 people inside, including two employees. Three more people were then taken to WakeMed for exposure.

Woodlief said a bad situation was averted because people inside the hotel recognized symptoms of carbon-monoxide poisoning – including headaches, nausea and fatigue – and sought treatment.

Carbon monoxide has no smell. Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage or death.