Charlotte Fire Department

On Sunday January 3^rd at 6:23 pm, (6) units from the Charlotte Fire Department including (3) Engines, (1) Ladder, (1) Hazardous Materials Response Team, and (1) Battalion Chief responded to a report of smoke in building at 212 Tyvola Drive in South Charlotte. Firefighters from nearby Station #12 were first to arrive at 6:27 pm and were greeted by an occupant of the apartment building who stated his carbon monoxide alarm had sounded and he could smell smoke coming from the apartment below him. Upon further investigation, firefighters forced entry into unit #4 and found a family of four, (1) female adult and (3) children ages 10 years old and younger semi-conscious and exhibiting signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Unable to self-evacuate, firefighters carried the four patients outdoors. Firefighters determined the carbon monoxide in parts of the structure had reached dangerous and potentially life-threatening levels. The family of four was transported to Carolinas Medical Center in serious condition. The cause of the carbon monoxide exposure was determined to be a charcoal grill being used indoors to cook food.

Charlotte Fire Officials would like to caution the community at large to:

STAY WARM, STAY SAFE, STAY ALIVE!

· Don’t use cooking appliances such as stoves/ovens, charcoal or gas grills, to heat your home. Using charcoal or gas grills indoors will produce deadly amounts of carbon monoxide.

· Leaving your vehicle running in a garage will produce deadly amounts of carbon monoxide.

· Always have a working smoke & carbon monoxide alarm in your home.

Submitted by:

Mark Basnight | Captain | Spokesman

Charlotte Fire Department

Office of Public Affairs