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Carbon monoxide sickens five in Ocala

Audio story by Ben Boorstein - WUFT-FM

Carbon Monoxide

Five people were rescued from an Ocala home after breathing carbon monoxide gas Thursday.

Ocala Fire Rescue was notified early Thursday morning that five people in a house at 1008 NE 17th Ave. were sick. They found high levels of carbon monoxide and entered wearing special air tanks.

The house had no power, but a gas generator found in the kitchen was the source of the carbon monoxide, authorities said. Firefighters opened windows to ventilate the gas.

The five victims were taken to a hospital. Their conditions were unknown Friday morning.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. It can be produced from many household appliances like malfunctioning gas water heaters and stoves.  Gas-run generators, wood-burning fireplaces and motor vehicles also produce the deadly gas.

Firefighters recommend never operating a generator inside a house. Early signs of poisoning include headache, sleepiness, nausea and dizziness.  Those who feel these symptoms are urged to go outside and call 911.

Kelly Price edited this story online.

Forrest is a radio news manager for WUFT News. Reach him by emailing news@wuft.org or calling 352-392-6397.