NORTH EAST, Md — A suspected case of Carbon Monoxide poisoning in Cecil County left one person dead and two others, including a young child, hospitalized.
The tragic discovery was made around 6:30 Wednesday night in the 800 block Main Street in North East.
Family members found an unresponsive 34-year-old man inside his home living room, along with a disoriented woman and four-year-old child.
Fire investigators noticed a soot covered air filter on an oil furnace, causing CO to form.
An exhaust pipe meant to filter out the gas reportedly became disconnected from an inside wall, allowing it to spread throughout the home.
“They found a disconnected vent pipe within the wall,” said Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire. “They also found a very heavily-sooted filter within the furnace. That led them to believe there was some type of malfunction within the oil furnace in the home."
No CO detectors were located inside the house meaning the colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, often referred to as a silent killer, could've entered the victims lungs depriving them of oxygen.
Reducing risks of carbon monoxide
“It’s very tragic,” said Fred Conway, a longtime resident, “It’s a wonderful family. They’ve been a great pillar in this whole community as long as I know. They’ve lived here their whole lives—-their fathers and grandfathers and everything. It’s just tragic that it happened."
We're told doctors were able to stabilize the woman and child. Their names were not publicly released.
The Fire Marshal's Office suggested homeowners safely maintain their heating equipment as the colder season picks up.
Here are some of their recommendations:
- Have a qualified technician regularly service your furnace, boiler, and water heater. While you can physically check your appliances for visible damage, only a qualified technician can ensure that your furnace burns fuel efficiently.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Replace your carbon monoxide alarm every five to six years or as the manufacturer specifies.
- Make sure your air vents are clear and not blocked. Check your vents and the area around them for any blockage or debris. If you find anything blocking airflow, carefully remove it or contact a qualified technician to do this.
