Police: Three in Baileys Crossroads Transported for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a medical emergency, Wednesday at about 2:30 a.m., in the Baileys Crossroads area of Fairfax County, according to a news release from Fairfax County Police.

The 11 unit, three-story, garden apartment is located 3653 Malibu Circle.

Upon arrival, firefighters found three occupants with potential symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Using meters, firefighters found high levels of carbon monoxide in the apartment. One adult female and one adult male were treated and then transported to INOVA Fairfax Hospital, and one adult male was transported to Virginia Hospital Center, all for life-threatening injuries.

The building was immediately evacuated with occupants being able to reenter approximately four hours later after firefighters ventilated the structure.

Firefighters and gas company officials determined the cause of the carbon monoxide to be a faulty furnace in the apartment of origin.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
• Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
• A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
• Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO - only use outside.