From Sandy Louey:
Five family members were taken to a hospital Tuesday after apparently suffering carbon monoxide poisoning in their south Sacramento home.
Firefighters were called to a home in the 6600 block of 47th Street around 4 p.m. after hospital officials notified the Sacramento Fire Department they had a mother and two boys with signs and symptoms of carbon-monoxide poisoning, said Capt. Jim Doucette, Fire Department spokesman.
Two other family members, two girls, were found at the home with the same symptoms and taken to the hospital. All five are expected to recover, he said.
High levels of carbon monoxide were found in the home. It's not known what caused the carbon-monoxide gas to enter the home, but the family was using a fireplace that wasn't operating properly, Doucette said.
The family also had been using two gasoline-powered generators inside their garage for the last month, he said.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that can kill. It is produced by anything that burns such as gasoline engines, barbeques, fireplaces and natural gas heaters, according to the fire department.
Some symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include vomiting, nausea and dizziness. Signs and symptoms are similar to those of the flu virus as well as the cherry red skin color.
People who suspect they are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning should open windows, get out of their residence and call 911.
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