Audio story by Ben Boorstein - WUFT-FM
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.