One dead, second hospitalized after carbon monoxide incident in Wales, MA

One person is dead and a second was hospitalized after a carbon monoxide incident in Wales, Massachusetts, according to State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.

Ostroskey, Wales Fire Chief John Croke and Wales Police Chief Jeff Hastings said the incident occurred on Brows Beach Road in Wales on Wednesday afternoon.

Ostroskey said a 911 call appears to have been made from inside the house around 2:30 p.m.  for a medical situation, and fire engines and ambulances arrived and found elevated carbon monoxide levels.

"There was carbon monoxide from a device inside the house," Croke said. "Both patients were extricated from the residence. One was transported from Lifeflight to UMass, another was transported by ground to [Wing Memorial Hospital & Med Center]. At this time, one of those patients has passed."

A couple of pets were also removed and rushed to a local veterinary hospital.

The cause of the incident is under investigation, but authorities say heating is the leading cause of carbon monoxide in the home. Ostroskey said it appears a central heating unit caused the toxic fumes, leading to the death of one and injuries to another.

"Sad, I cringe," neighbor Robert Birchenough said. "Shocking news. I’ve known them for, I bet, 25-30 years. Very decent people, I can’t even fathom."

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Authorities say part of the investigation will determine if there were working carbon monoxide alarms in the home, which are required in Massachusetts homes.

"Sadly, we have experienced too many deaths from carbon monoxide in Mass.," Ostroskey said. "And we see many, many carbon monoxide incidents annually

Ostroskey urges everyone to make sure they have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their homes, and to make sure wood or coal stoves are serviced with chimneys cleaned as the weather begins to get colder.

The Wales Fire and Police Departments and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the incident. The relationship, ages or genders of the victims were not released.

Cox Media Group