THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 28, 1995 TAG: 9511280288
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
A mother, her four children and a relative became sick early Monday after a broken gas furnace spewed carbon monoxide into a Lake Edward townhome, police said.
A police officer who helped the residents escape also got sick, but was treated and released at a local hospital.
Shortly after 6 a.m., police and rescue workers were sent to the 5700 block of Volsung Court after six people woke up vomiting and suffering headaches. Officer James Riddick was the first to arrive and found the residents were also having trouble breathing.
Police said the mother briefly lost consciousness but was revived.
Rescue workers said the residents were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that results from burning. The residence's furnace apparently had malfunctioned and filled the townhome with the deadly gas.
Normally, carbon monoxide from furnaces is safely vented outside.
The six family members and the officer were taken to Sentara Leigh Memorial Hospital.
Police identified them as 28-year-old Daisy Cole and her four children: Shante Snowden, 10; Brian Snowden, 8; Phillip Snowden, 7; and Brittany Snowden, 6; and the children's uncle, Robert Snowden, 39. They were all listed in stable condition. by CNB