A woman was left fighting for her life due to carbon monoxide poisoning after a disconnected boiler leaked the toxic gas into her illegally converted apartment in Queens on Christmas Eve morning, officials reported. The woman, who remains unidentified, was discovered in critical condition on the top floor of the residence on 194th Street in St. Albans around 10:30 a.m. She was swiftly transported to Nassau County Medical Center for urgent medical care. Three other individuals residing in the same building were also hospitalized, all in stable condition.
Resident Ryan Mohan recounted to WABC that the woman and her daughter suddenly collapsed inside their home. A firefighter responding to the scene utilized a carbon monoxide detector, which sounded alarms as they navigated through the property in search of the affected woman. Mohan disclosed that carbon monoxide was detected on each floor of the building.
Officials refrained from disclosing the identities or ages of the victims involved in the incident. Subsequently, inspectors from the Department of Buildings were summoned to the location and discerned that a boiler had been improperly connected, causing the carbon monoxide to be inadequately vented outside the premises. Consequently, two boilers and a pair of hot water heaters in the building were ordered to be shut down.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that the two-family home was accommodating seven families, with apartments in the cellar and attic being rented out without the requisite work permits. As a result, a partial vacate order was imposed on the property, necessitating the residents to seek alternative accommodations for the ongoing Christmas period.
The impacted tenants were assisted by the Red Cross in securing temporary lodging arrangements as they navigated this unforeseen displacement. A concerned neighbor expressed sympathy for the affected individuals, particularly lamenting the timing of the incident during the holiday season, remarking, “I feel sorry for the tenants because now it’s a holiday. Now they have to find homes to be. It’s a mess.”
In light of this alarming occurrence, it serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to safety regulations and ensuring proper maintenance of household heating systems to avert potentially life-threatening situations such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
