Carbon Monoxide Kills Woman and Pets During Winter Storm

A woman and her three pets reportedly died from exposure to carbon monoxide during the winter storm last week in Celeste.

The Hunt County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an unresponsive woman on February 4. WFAA reported that authorities arrived at a residence on FM 903 in Celeste, about thirty-two miles northeast of McKinney.

Upon arrival, they located a woman’s body in the garage and three animals inside the home, all dead from apparent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. A gas-powered generator was near the woman.

According to eExtra News, the woman, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead on the scene by the Merit Fire Department when they arrived. An American Medical Response (AMR) Hunt County ambulance attempted to respond to the situation but got stuck on ice. 

Located near the woman was a gas-powered generator that had run out of fuel. An attached extension cord reached into the home from the garage. Officers then went inside to search the residence and discovered one cat and two dogs deceased.

According to NBC DFW, upon investigating, authorities believe the carbon monoxide poisoning was accidental, and that during that time, the area where the woman lived was dealing with a power outage. It appeared the victim was using the generator for power and heat.

Celeste, Farmersville, Wagner, and Merit were among the locations that lost power the evening of February 2 during the ice storm. Many residents were still without electricity on February 4, when the woman tragically passed away from the poisoning.

The Hunt County Sheriff reminds citizens never to use gas-powered generators in an enclosed area, whether a home, carport, or garage. Gas generators should be stationed at least twenty feet away from a residence and any openings to a home while powered on and running. 

Terry Jones, Hunt County Sheriff, stated, “My condolences go out to the family of the deceased; this tragic accident was the result of someone trying to make the best out of their current circumstances.”

According to Penn Medicine, in the United States, the leading cause of death by poisoning is carbon monoxide. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it replaces the oxygen in the bloodstream, which causes the brain, heart, and body to “become starved of oxygen.” 

Every floor of a home should have a carbon monoxide detector, especially during the winter months, when poisonings are common due to running furnaces, gas fireplaces, and other appliances. Since carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, it can easily go undetected. 

In most cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, pets become sick before humans do. 

The symptoms of early-onset carbon monoxide poisoning are problems with breathing, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and irritability.

If you feel these symptoms while near any gas-powered equipment, immediately get yourself out into the open air and call for help.