Family Sickened By Carbon Monoxide In Sicklerville
By Tim Jimenez, Jan Carabeo and Cleve Bryan
SICKLERVILLE, N.J. (CBS) -- A family of three, including a young girl, was hospitalized overnight after carbon monoxide filled their home in Camden County, New Jersey.
Police and EMS responded to a home along Hidden Hollow Lane in Sicklerville, Winslow Township around 4 a.m. Monday after receiving a call about an unconscious woman. When they arrived, police say the man who called 9-1-1 briefly passed out while walking to the door, but got up and was able to let officers and EMS inside.
Authorities say they found a woman and seven-year-old girl unconscious in the living room. EMS took all three people out of the home and they regained consciousness. They were taken to the hospital in stable condition for observation.
"We thank God that they all came out alive," neighbor L.B. Brown said.
Fire officials say the carbon monoxide levels inside the home were dangerously high, three times the exposure limit.
"We received readings above 900 parts per million, which leads to instant coma and convulsions," says Winslow Township Fire Batallion Chief Mark Mangaro.
Crews say the gas leak likely came from a gas heater in the basement, but the exact cause is being investigated.
The fire department did not find any CO detectors in the house and installed a detector before they left.
South Jersey Gas also turned off the gas to the home until the heater is checked by a licensed technician.
The resident, Joseph Lankford, was able to leave the hospital and says his wife and daughter are doing fine. He spoke exclusively with CBS 3 Eyewitness News reporter Cleve Bryan.
"It was scary, all I did was pray, pray to God that he would be with us as we waited for the paramedics to come," says Lankford.
He barely made it to the door when emergency responders arrived and collapsed in convulsions.
"All I remember was opening the main door and then I passed out, and then I came to again and was able to open the screen door," says Lankford.
His family will be able to go home once they have the heater checked by a licensed technician.
"They discharged me and my wife already. My daughter they're just running some more tests to make sure that she'll be okay," said Lankford Monday afternoon.
They got some clothes and are staying with family until their home is inspected.
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