Charleston - Huntington, West Virginia -- WOWK -- 13NewsSouth Charleston Fire releases final report in fatal carbon monoxide leak

South Charleston investigators have released their final report into the fatal carbon monoxide leak at a South Charleston hotel.

A pool heater leaked high levels of carbon monoxide Jan. 31 at the South Charleston Holiday Inn Express that killed one and sickened others.

Investigators blame the leak on a vent pipe that was "physically manipulated" on the outside to be connected to another pipe, but say the original installation of the system more than 11 years ago is to blame as well. 

The investigation names Steve Combs with Premier Pools as the last person to have worked on the pipe.

According to the investigation, Combs was served cease and desist order from the Department of Labor and is registered only as a residential contractor.

Combs worked on the heating unit between Dec. 27 and 28, 2011, a month before the pipe burst.

Investigators theorize that the pipe was installed and maintained improperly, before becoming dislodged due to vibrations from the water heater unit.

This sent carbon monoxide through the elevator shaft and up to the fifth floor where the two contractors were found sick and dead.