Three hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning at home
A family of three was hospitalized Sunday morning after sustaining carbon monoxide poisoning because of a gas fireplace, the Las Vegas Fire Department said.
The incident occurred about 10:30 a.m. at a home near Valley View and Oakey boulevards. Two adults and one juvenile were hospitalized.
According to the Fire Department, dispatchers received a 911 call from an occupant at the home who said "they had passed out and regained consciousness, but could not get back up."
Firefighters using testing equipment determined the home was filled with carbon monoxide. The occupants told firefighters they were using the natural gas fireplace during the night and closed the damper in the flue, not permitting gases to escape up the chimney, instead enabling the gas to fill up the home.
Firefighters warned that adequate ventilation is needed whenever carbon monoxide is present. The tasteless, odorless and invisible gas is absorbed into the body 200 times faster than oxygen, the Fire Department said.
The gas can put victims into a deep sleep, leading to a coma and even death.
The Fire Department said before using a fireplace or any heating device with a chimney, people should make sure the flue is open to allow deadly gases to escape into the atmosphere.
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.
