Carbon monoxide incident - woman found dead

Tragically last Wednesday 1 February Humberside Fire and Rescue Service was called to a suspected carbon monoxide (CO) leak in Barcroft Street, Cleethorpes.

On arrival crews were informed that a CO alarm was sounding in one of a row of terraced houses. Specialist officers with gas detection equipment confirmed that high levels of the gas were present in one of the properties and quickly began investigation and evacuation of the surrounding houses.  

One house had been converted into flats and a man was led to safety from the first floor. Sadly a woman, believed to be in her fifties, was found dead in the ground floor flat. 

Andy James from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service who was the officer in charge at the incident said: "One of the occupiers had a working carbon monoxide detector that alerted her to presence of the gas. This gave enough early warning to call us out and we were able to evacuate most of the surrounding properties. Sadly it was too late for one of the occupiers but I have no doubt the situation could have been much worse had the alarm not sounded. Once detected the crews acted very quickly in difficult circumstances to evacuate the flats they could, rescuing one woman from the first floor. Any carbon monoxide build up is extremely dangerous and can very easily prove fatal. It is almost impossible to detect without an alarm as the gas has no smell and cannot be seen. We have seen an increase recently in the number of incidents involving carbon monoxide which is worrying. With the continued cold snap people are using gas appliances to heat their home, often after long periods without use and without having had them serviced. It is really important that people make sure gas appliances are in good working order and serviced regularly. I would urge anyone who has gas appliances to buy a carbon monoxide detector as it could save your life."

For any type of gas emergency call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 

Anyone wishing to request free safety advice can contact Humberside Fire & Rescue Service on 0300 303 8242 or visit www.humbersidefire.gov.uk.