March 15, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2001-21) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org TWO TREATED FOR POSSIBLE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING Firemedics and Firefighters from Mobile Fire-Rescue Department responded to the St. Charles Apartments, located at 963 Government Street, Thursday morning, March 15, 2001 for a possible Carbon Monoxide (CO2) poisoning. The initial call came from apartment 1 at approximately 8:27 a.m. reporting a female occupant experiencing possible chest pains. Firemedics assigned to Rescue 3 arrived at approximately 8:32 a.m. While evaluating the patient they suspected the cause of the problem may have been a Carbon Monoxide leak in the apartment. Additional assistance was called for at that time. Firefighters assigned to Ladder Truck 17 arrived on the scene and using a monitor determined there were high levels of the deadly poison in the apartment. Firemedics transported Carol Weaver and her son Alex Weaver, ages unknown, to Mobile Infirmary Medical Center where they are being treated for possible exposure to Carbon Monoxide Poison. Mobile Gas Company Investigators along with Mobile Fire Investigators were called to the scene to determine the cause of the leak. The leak appears to have come from the water heater in a closet in the apartment. It appears that squirrels or rats may have built a nest in the vent pipe of the natural gas water heater causing the deadly poison to leak back into the apartment. No other apartments were affected and no other injuries were reported. Rescue 3, truck 17 and District 1 Chief Martin Stanley responded. ###