Generator Led To 1 Unconscious, 4 With 'Hazardous' Levels Of CO

SHIRLEY, NY — One man was unconscious and four family members were treated for "hazardous" levels of carbon monoxide in Shirley Friday night due to a generator running in the basement after Tropical Storm Isaias led to a loss of power, officials said.

According to the Mastic Fire Department Chemical Company #1, just after 11 p.m. the department received a call regarding a person in possible cardiac arrest in Shirley.

When Chief Rudy Sunderman and Lt. Rudy Sunderman arrived, a number of residents who lived in the home told them that they weren’t feeling well; there was an unconscious man in a rear bedroom.

The two immediately evaluated air levels using meters and found "extremely hazardous" levels of carbon monoxide coming from the residence, the fire department said.

The chief and the lieutenant donned protective breathing apparatus and were able to extricate the unconscious man from the home, bringing him outside to EMTs who transported him to Long Island Community Hospital, officials said.

A total of six family members were evaluated for CO exposure with four of them, one a child, transported for high levels of carbon monoxide, the fire department said. Exhaust fans were used to ventilate the home and make it safe again, officials said.

A running generator located in the basement of the home was determined to be the source of the carbon monoxide; the electric service to the home was ripped out by a falling tree during Tropical Storm Isaias during past week, and the generator was being used to power certain parts of the home, officials said.

"With hurricane season ramping up and forecasters predicting a higher than normal amount of storms, we cannot stress enough how important it is to use generators outdoors only and in well ventilated areas away from the immediate vicinity of the living space," fire officials said. "Additionally, it is equally important to have installed carbon monoxide detectors, preferably one on each floor of the home."