On August 11, 2025, high levels of carbon monoxide were detected at a home on Sherwood Court in Germantown, Wisconsin, prompting an emergency response just before 9:15 a.m. The Germantown Fire Department arrived to find two 74-year-old residents affected: a male who was later pronounced deceased and a female who was hospitalized. The leak was caused by a gas generator left running overnight in the garage following a power outage on Saturday. Firefighters ventilated the home to clear the hazardous gas, ensuring it was safe afterward.
Chief John Delain of the Germantown Fire Department emphasized the dangers of improper generator use, advising that they should never be operated in enclosed spaces like garages and should be placed at least 20 feet from homes with exhaust directed away from openings. He highlighted carbon monoxide as “the silent killer” due to its odorless and tasteless nature, with symptoms including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and chest pain. The incident underscores the annual toll of over 400 CO-related deaths in the U.S., as reported by the CDC, and serves as a reminder of the importance of carbon monoxide detectors and safe practices during power outages.