A Catford woman suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning was alerted to a carbon monoxide leak, thanks to her detection alarm alerting her to the harmful gas in her home.
The woman was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. Detection equipment showed elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the second floor flat. Firefighters carried out a full sweep of the building and found no elevated readings in neighbouring properties.
A London Fire brigade spokesperson said: “This incident highlights the importance of having a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home. You can’t taste, see or smell CO fumes but it can kill in minutes. It’s really important to fit a carbon monoxide alarm in all rooms containing solid fuel gas, or paraffin heaters. It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, and learn what to do if you suspect someone may be affected.”
The Brigade was called at 0949 and the incident was over by 1150. Fire crews from Forest Hill and Bexley fire stations were at the scene.
These symptoms also apply to your pets – so keep an eye on them too. It's also really important to spend a few pounds on a carbon monoxide alarm. Poisoning symptoms can easily be confused with just feeling unwell, which is why CO poisoning is so dangerous, and so often missed.