Carbon monoxide poisoning in Brentwood, Long Island blamed on faulty oil burner
Ten people were hospitalized in a carbon monoxide poisoning incident Thursday at a Long Island, New York home.
The Brentwood fire chief said an improperly functioning oil burner in the basement of the multi-family home was determined to be the source of the poison gas leak.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak, fire chief says
Firefighters were called at around 7 a.m. to a home on American Boulevard. Two of the 10 resident were found unconscious and taken to Mather Hospital and Nassau University Medical Center, which specialize in hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
According to the deed to the property, the homeowner is Jose Arana, who is one of the two in serious condition.
His granddaughter told CBS News New York over the phone, "[he's] the landlord of the house. He's 86 years old. He's a very kindhearted person. We just want to make sure he's safe. We want to make sure everything's OK and get him back to good health."
The town fire marshal deemed Arana's home unfit for occupancy until repairs are made. The town said while the property has no outstanding violations, the owner will be cited for not having enough smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Red Cross assisting displaced tenants
Angel Raudales, who lives in one of the home's three apartments, said his family has rented the upstairs unit for seven years. He was not home at the time of the gas leak, but two of his family members were.
"My mom and brother are at the hospital," he said. "She's having a difficult time talking, but she's feeling better."
When asked, Raudales did not know how many carbon monoxide detectors there were.
"I'm not completely sure," he said. "Something with the boiler happened, and the gas just went everywhere, and they are not feeling well."
The house is divided into three apartments for eleven tenants. Raudales said everything seemed up to code.
The Red Cross is assisting displaced residents.
