Fort Kent, ME- A mother and her two sons were transported to Northern Maine Medical Center on Tuesday evening, Sept. 3 after showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning at their home, according to Fort Kent Fire Chief Ed Endee.
A carbon monoxide detector in their house on South Perley Brook Road alerted Stacy Dube, and Jared and Andrew Dube, at 10:29 p.m., Endee said during a phone call on Wednesday. Dube, whose husband Patrick was not at home at the time, called for assistance, the chief said.
When responders arrived they found “very high levels” of carbon monoxide, in excess of 200 parts per million in some sections of the home, said Endee. The source was identified as an oil-fired hot water heater, he added.
All three family members were somewhat symptomatic, Endee said, with some nausea and dizziness. As a precaution they were brought to NMMC for evaluation. Endee said that their exposure was “nothing very serious,” but it does highlight the importance of having working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in the home.
“Had the detector not gone off,” Endee said, the outcome could have been more serious.
Responders at the scene shut off the hot water heater and ventilated the home, said Endee. Afterward they retested the house and detected no more high carbon monoxide levels.
Endee said no ordinances or state laws require carbon monoxide detectors in a home, although in some circumstances new home construction regulations would exist.
“They are lifesavers,” the chief added.
Endee said that 16 firefighters, an engine, the ladder truck and rescue truck were on scene for about an hour. Ambulance Service Inc. also responded.