Three members of a Massachusetts family died from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker shared the news in a press release, identifying the victims as 77-year-old John Benson, his 74-year-old sister-in-law Youngae Benson and 45-year-old Andrew Carruth, who was John Benson’s nephew.
Their bodies were discovered after the Nahant Police Department received a welfare check request at the home on Monday.
Passenger’s Unknown Baby Knits a Cap During Her First Flight: Watch Heartwarming Video (Exclusive)
“Nahant Police and the Nahant Fire Department arrived on scene and upon entry discovered three adults deceased from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning,” the press release said. According to Boston.com, foul play is not suspected.
“It’s awesome in this little town. Great people, that’s all I can say about them. Never a problem with them, always great,” neighborhood resident John Molenti told Boston 25 News. His neighbor, Ted Mahoney, echoed the same sentiments.
“Yeah, I’m shaken up, I’ve seen ambulances here before for health issues, so I assumed it was last night,” he told the news outlet. “But then I realized it was a more serious problem. I’m heartbroken. You couldn’t find better people.” “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Benson family as they mourn the loss of their loved ones,” the Nahant Police Department wrote on Facebook while also sharing a press release from the district attorney.
Image of cordon tape for the scene of an accident or crime.
Getty
Mark Zuckerberg reveals his daughters are helping out with a ‘fun’ project on his Hawaiian estate
On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services shared video on Xformerly known as Twitter, features State Fire Marshal Jon M. Divine talking about the importance of carbon monoxide alarms.
“@NahantFD & @NahantPolice report 3 tragic deaths in what may have been a #CarbonMonoxide incident. While the investigation with @MassStatePolice and @EssexCountyDA continues, we want to remind everyone how important it is to have working CO alarms on all levels of your home,” it read is their tweet.
In the video, Divine explained that carbon monoxide is “poisonous to humans and pets.” He added: “We can’t see it, smell it or taste it. That’s why it’s so important to have working CO alarms on every level of your home. Change the batteries twice a year and test them every month to make sure they’re working properly.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), carbon monoxide is a “colorless, virtually odorless, and tasteless gas or liquid” that results from the “incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion.”
Sources of carbon monoxide include gas furnaces, leaking chimneys and furnaces, and unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, according to the EPA.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education