(istock)
Jan 27, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
A woman is dead after a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning incident in Flushing Tuesday.
The FDNY and EMS responded to a 911 call just after 8 p.m. and came across an unconscious woman on the floor of her apartment inside 34-45 Leavitt St., the FDNY said.
The 52-year-old was transferred to Flushing Hospital where she was later pronounced dead, the FDNY said.
The 911 caller initially reported the woman as being in cardiac arrest but when firefighters arrived they detected an elevated level of carbon monoxide, according to the FDNY.
The FDNY evacuated the building and ventilated the gas until it was safe for the residents to return. A carbon monoxide alarm was present in the victim’s apartment but was not working, the FDNY said.
The FDNY has yet to determine the source of the carbon monoxide, the FDNY said.
Following the incident, the FDNY tweeted a reminder about the importance of having both a functional carbon dioxide alarm and a fire alarm inside residencies.
The tweet said that carbon monoxide is a “silent killer” and is undetectable by human senses.
If inhaled, the odorless and colorless gas can displace oxygen in the blood and deprive the heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen.
FDNY members responded to a medical emergency in Queens yesterday evening. While performing patient care, members received alerts on their CO detectors that read 200 parts per million (PPM). Read more: https://t.co/gYoKXsMSfM pic.twitter.com/AObqTZNihM
— FDNY (@FDNY) January 27, 2021
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, undetectable by human senses. Have both a smoke alarm and a CO alarm (or a combination smoke/CO alarm) installed where you sleep and on every level of your home, including basements. See more #FDNYSmart tips at https://t.co/NpwdRdlElY
— FDNY (@FDNY) January 27, 2021
