8 people hospitalized with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning in Somers

SOMERS, Conn. (WTNH) — Eight people were taken to the hospital Sunday after a hot water heater malfunctioned at a home in Somers, causing high levels of carbon monoxide, according to fire officials.

Firefighters responded to a home on Grasshopper Lane at 11:49 a.m. Sunday, after receiving a report of a medical emergency. Fire officials said paramedics took a pediatric patient to Bay State Hospital.

Less than two hours later, at 1:40 p.m., the fire department received a second call to the same home for another medical emergency and found a patient in the driveway.

Fire officials said paramedics decided to check the home for carbon monoxide, and meters detected high levels as crews approached the front door.

The home was immediately evacuated, and according to the fire department, carbon monoxide levels that exceeded 400 parts per million were found inside.

Ambulances from East Windsor, Ellington and East Longmeadow also responded, and eight people who were showing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning were taken to Bay State Hospital.

The fire department determined that the source of the leak was a malfunctioning hot water heater.

Fire officials said that while carbon monoxide incidents are more commonly associated with winter, Sunday’s situation serves as a reminder of the importance of having carbon monoxide alarms in homes year-round.

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