Gwen Rummell Reporting –
The Bowerston Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by Uhrichsville in a carbon monoxide incident on Tuesday.
Bowerston’s Fire Captain Adam Reardon said a call came in for multiple people ill in a structure on Taylor Road at 10:45 am. He noted that they assumed carbon monoxide poisoning before responding and it was confirmed upon arrival.
“One victim had been able to get himself out, but there were still three in the structure. We had to utilize respiratory protection for initial responding crews to go in and perform a rescue to get those victims out.”
Captain Reardon added that a common mistake is what led to the poisonings.
“They had been utilizing a propane cooking stove with very little ventilation in the structure and no working carbon monoxide or smoke detectors in the house. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas so you can’t see it or smell it. So there was no warning for them until they were very sick.”
After receiving online medical assistance from Trinity Twin City Medical Center, all four individuals were transported to Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital by Bowerston and Uhrichsville EMS.
Crews from Tappan Lake, Cadiz, Scio, and Jewett had also been requested initially.
Captain Reardon expresses that everyone should have carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in their homes. Local fire departments are able to install or check the placements of alarms if available.
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