Residents Urged To Evacuate After Ooisonous Gas Detected At Japanese Hot Spring

Tokyo Residents close to a Japanese hot spring have been urged to evacuate after a family of four was killed by poisonous fumes. A local official says hydrogen sulfide gas has been detected near their homes.Sixteen people from four households near the hot spring, about 280 miles north of Tokyo, have been advised to leave their homes. While the levels detected are not dangerous, authorities say they're being cautious as they try to determine the exact source of the gas. Autopsy results indicate the family died from hydrogen sulfide gas poisoning. Heavy snow may have led to the build up of gas, which was then released in heavy concentrations into the air. Hydrogen sulfide gas is released at most hot springs in Japan, but it isn't a health hazard at low concentrations.