San Juan Capistrano, CA – Three residents and their cat were affected by high levels of carbon monoxide in their San Juan Capistrano home, Tuesday morning, according to Orange County Fire Authority.
A medical emergency call was given at just before 6 a.m. when a 64-year-old woman was suffering from symptoms that ended up being related to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to OCFA Capt. Larry Kurtz. OCFA HAZMAT teams were called to the scene to investigate after two more residents of the home reported similar symptoms. Their cat was also seen acting strangely.
Both the 27-year-old man and the 26-year-old woman were affected by the elevated carbon monoxide.
The home, located on the 31400 block of Avendia de la Vista, reportedly was using propane to heat their natural gas water heater, according to Kurtz.
“The HAZMAT teams concluded that the Carbon Monoxide levels were elevated due to the natural gas water heater being fed by a propane tank,” Kurtz told Patch. “When carbon monoxide reaches the bloodstream, the body accepts carbon monoxide more readily than oxygen, and it slowly suffocates you.”
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea and a red tint to skin.
“Carbon monoxide monitors are required in homes, outside of bedrooms and in living spaces of house,” Kurtz said.
It is not known if the home had carbon monoxide monitors inside the property.
The property was ventilated, and HAZMAT recommended that the property manager change the water heater for one that could be heated with propane.
The cat seemed to appear better once it was outside, Kurtz said.