‘Lucky to be alive:’ First responders save family sickened by improperly placed generators

HOUMA, La. (WVUE/Gray News) - Quick-acting first responders saved a family in Louisiana left badly sickened from the use of improperly placed generators.

The Bayou Cane Fire Protection District said it received a call from someone in the 2900 block of Broadmoor Avenue who was having difficulty breathing and losing consciousness.

Medics arrived to find three people inside the home barely conscious and vomiting. The fire district says the symptoms coincided with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Additional fire personnel arrived on the scene and found two gas-powered generators running. One generator was in the garage and a second one was on a screened-in porch, with doors opened for extension cords that also allowed potentially deadly carbon monoxide to enter the home.

“All three patients were transported to the hospital extremely ill,” the fire district said in a social media post. “Carbon monoxide levels where they were sleeping read 800 ppm, which is lethal. This family is lucky to be alive. It is crucial that everyone follow safe generator practices.”