Waterbury, CT – An elderly woman was hospitalized for smoke inhalation after the furnace in her home malfunctioned Monday.
City firefighters were called to 68 Chambers St. at 5:52 p.m. Deputy Fire Chief David Hart said the woman exhibited signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. She was taken outside for fresh air and brought to Waterbury Hospital as a precaution.
Hart said the home had not had the chimney cleaned or furnace serviced in awhile. Soot built up and it backed up into the home, filling it with smoke and carbon monoxide.
The woman went to her basement to check on the smell, and then called city firefighters.
This could have been a tragedy had it happened in the middle of the night, Hart said.
Hart reminded residents to make sure their home chimneys are clean and furnaces are working properly as the heating season begins.