Carbon monoxide scare for Sydney family | Wentworthville

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Carbon monoxide scare for Sydney family - Wentworthville

Published: 29 Jun 2024 11:16am

Firefighters are warning the public not to use outdoor barbecues as indoor heaters this winter, following an emergency that almost claimed the lives of a family this morning at Wentworthville, in Sydney's west.

A family of five was overcome by Carbon Monoxide fumes in their Wentworth Avenue unit around 4.15am.

They had brought a charcoal BBQ in from their balcony in a bid to stay warm.

Instead, the build-up of poisonous fumes rendered three of the residents unconscious.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews, from Wentworthville and Seven Hills, were quickly on scene, moved the family to the balcony and began medical treatment.

NSW Ambulance paramedics transported three adults and a child to hospital for further treatment.

Carbon Monoxide or CO is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that can overwhelm and cause death, without the casualties being aware of its impacts.

The firefighters in attendance say the CO levels inside the unit were more than four times the dangerous limit.

They ventilated the apartment and checked gas levels throughout the block of units.

The incident comes as FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, continues to warn the public not to use outdoor heaters or cookers inside this winter.

"There's nowhere for the poisonous fumes to go if they build up indoors," Commissioner Fewtrell said, "Using charcoal bead cookers, BBQ's and outdoor heaters inside creates an extreme risk to you and your family.

"We understand that as the weather is particularly cold at the moment, families may be tempted to use alternative heating sources, but these types of items will risk the lives of you and your family rather than making you warm and comfortable in your homes." he added.

"We'll continue to work with all of our communities to spread the awareness about these dangers."

Fire crews are returning to the unit block today to provide safety advice to neighbours in the wake of the incident.

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