Coal heater blamed for gas leak as Cannock victim named
The woman who died after a carbon monoxide leak in her home has been named as 73-year-old Gwendal Stanley.
She died at her Old Penkridge Road home, in Cannock, on Tuesday.
Fire investigators say a coal heater is believed to have been behind the leak after 'dangerously high levels' of the gas were found.
A man, aged 75, remains in a critical condition at New Cross Hospital after receiving oxygen treatment from firefighters at the scene.
Police were called at around 10.30am after a relatives became concerned when they were unable to raise the elderly residents.
The officers forced entry, rescued the elderly couple and opened windows to ventilate the home.
Firefighters from Cannock Fire Station were also called to the home.
Staffordshire Police is not treating the woman’s death as suspicious.
A report has been prepared for HM Coroner to establish the cause of her death.
Fire crews used carbon monoxide monitoring equipment to check levels within the home.
These showed a reading of 100 parts per million - the maximum and safe limit is 35 parts per million over an eight-hour period.
Staffordshire Fire Investigation Officer Paul Shaw said a self-feeding anthracite coal heater was discovered downstairs.
The fire service say it is believed this heater was responsible for the 'dangerously high levels' of carbon monoxide within the home.
He said: “We would like to offer our deepest sympathy to this woman’s family following this truly tragic incident; our thoughts remain with them during this difficult time.
“While real fuel fires and heaters greatly increase your risk of suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning any home can be affected so it’s vital to ensure you are protected by having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted in your property.
“We cannot stress enough just how important it is to have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home so they can alert you to signs of fire or deadly gases as early as possible.
“Those without these alarms may not know there is a cause for concern until it is too late - carbon monoxide is odourless, invisible and silent killer.
“The firefighters at this incident took a carbon monoxide reading after the home had already been ventilated by police so it highly likely that the levels were well over 100.”
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal.
Staffordshire Fire Service said carbon-based fuels are safe to use.
But it is only when the fuel does not burn properly that excess carbon monoxide is produced, which is poisonous.
When it enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs.
For more information about carbon monoxide visit the Staffordshire Fire Service website or call the Community Advice Team on 0800 0241 999.
