Broward County, FL – A 4-year-old girl and an adult passed out and four other people were overcome by potentially fatal carbon monoxide fumes from a portable cooker during a birthday party in a duplex apartment Sunday afternoon, according to authorities.
The victims’ conditions vary from serious to potentially critical, but all are expected to recover.A 2-year-old boy also exhibited symptoms and was hospitalized.
The party started at 1 p.m. in the 1700 block of Southwest 40th Terrace, but less than 30 minutes later, someone inside called 911 after a 4-year-old girl passed out. A second 911 call came minutes later after an adult passed out.
The propane-powered dual burner had been set up in an alleyway between two apartments, but after the wind kept putting out the flame, the device was moved inside the house, with the propane tank still outside but connected by a tube through a window.
“The lesson learned here is that these people are lucky to be alive,” said Mike Jachles, spokesman for Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue. “Hopefully they’ll all make a full recovery.”
One of the adult victims said that the cooking continued until the second victim became ill, and some of the occupants realized that the burner was filling the small apartment with toxic gas.
“The first line of treatment is fresh air and a high flow of oxygen,” Jachles said. By the time authorities arrived, the occupants were outside. Those who showed symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning were fitted with oxygen masks. Ambulances whisked away the victims. The two children and two adults were taken to Plantation General Hospital; two adults were taken to Broward Health Medical Center.
The odorless, colorless and tasteless gas often goes unnoticed until symptoms such as lethargy, confusion and unconsciousness become evident.
Jachles recommended that both tenants and homeowners buy carbon monoxide detectors or make sure that existing ones are working properly. He said that under no circumstance should cooking devices utilizing fossil fuels be used inside dwellings