Four Critically Injured After Exposure To Dangerous Levels Of CO
(CBS) -- Four people are reported unconscious and in critical condition, from carbon monoxide poisoning in a home in the South Side Roseland neighborhood.
Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said those overcome were found inside a bungalow, at 335 W. 107th St., in which they apparently tried to use a stove to provide heat.
An Emergency Plan sent five ambulances to the scene. The incident commander also called for a hazardous materials team.
"They were overcome and went down in various parts of the house," said battalion chief Tom Sutkus. "Two of them they found immediately in the living room and were brought out. One of them must have called 911 because that is how they got the call originally."
Langford said that carbon monoxide was at lethal levels inside the home, an estimated 1,000 parts per million. The first units to arrive on the scene found the stove burners on full. He said that these are the worst readings city firefighters have found in a home this fall.
"We have had other cases of high readings of CO but not this level and not with people who were actually unconscious," Langford said.
Those overcome, ages 23, 47, 51 and 79, were taken to Roseland, Metro South and Little Company of Mary Hospitals.
