PASADENA : Faulty Gas Heater Blamed in Death of 10-Year-Old
A 10-year-old boy died and three people were hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning apparently caused by a faulty natural gas heater, authorities said Thursday.
The victims, whose names were not immediately released, were discovered unconscious by a neighbor in a Mentone Avenue home about 11:40 a.m., Fire Capt. John Penido said. Paramedics took the victims to St. Luke Medical Center and Huntington Memorial Hospital, Penido said. The boy died at 12:55 p.m. at Huntington, hospital spokesman Steve Willis said.
A 35-year-old woman was in serious condition at Huntington, Willis said. The conditions of the other two victims at St. Luke were not available. All three were being transferred to Northridge Hospital Medical Center for hyperbaric oxygen treatment, Willis said. Investigators believe a malfunctioning natural gas heater filled the home with carbon monoxide, Penido said.
Vicki Estrada, spokeswoman for Southern California Gas Co., said inspectors found a soot-clogged vent on a wall heater and high readings of carbon monoxide in the home.
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