1 Dead In Suspected Carbon Monoxide Exposure Incident: East Haven Police

EAST HAVEN, CT — One person has died in a suspected carbon monoxide exposure, police said.

At 2:01 p.m. the East Haven Fire Department (EHFD) responded to Salvatore Drive for a report of an unconscious person.

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Upon arrival, firefighters were met by a family member of the individual, who was believed to be deceased inside the residence, police said.

Firefighters initially entered the home expecting to encounter a routine medical emergency, police said.

However, as they approached the front door, a carbon monoxide (CO) detector affixed to EHFD medical equipment bags activated, immediately alerting personnel to the presence of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide inside the residence, said Police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo.

Readings inside the home exceeded 500 parts per million (ppm) in some locations, indicating an extremely hazardous environment, Murgo said. Firefighters immediately withdrew from the residence and donned appropriate protective equipment before re-entering to locate the occupant.

Firefighters located an adult male deceased in his bed. The individual could not be resuscitated.

Based on the conditions encountered at the scene, firefighters suspect carbon monoxide exposure may have contributed to the individual's death, police said. The cause and manner of death will need to be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

EHFD personnel investigated the potential source of the carbon monoxide and identified a water heater that appeared to have been improperly installed, police said.

This finding was confirmed by the East Haven Fire Marshal and the East Haven Building Official, police said.

Investigators also discovered a carbon monoxide detector inside the residence that did not contain a battery, police said.

The scene was subsequently turned over to East Haven Police Department Investigative Services Division for further investigation and family notification.

"This incident is a tragic reminder that carbon monoxide is a silent and potentially deadly threat. In this case, the carbon monoxide detectors carried by our firefighters provided an immediate warning of the dangerous conditions inside the residence," said East Haven Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli. "We urge every resident to make sure their carbon monoxide alarms are installed, functioning properly, and equipped with working batteries. These simple precautions can save lives."