HOUSTON – A person is dead in a case of carbon monoxide poisoning at a northwest Houston apartment complex.
According to the Houston Fire Department, they responded to the 6500 block of W. 43rd Street for a carbon monoxide poisoning call early Thursday.
Earlier today @HoustonFire responded to 6500 W 43rd for a carbon monoxide poisoning. HFD arrived to find one fatality. HFD transported 6 citizens to a nearby ER. Hazardous Materials team did respond. Crews did find a generator inside the apt. @FireChiefofHFD
— Houston Fire Dept (@HoustonFire) June 23, 2023
The fire department said they arrived to find one person dead. Six other people were transported to a nearby emergency room. The fire department said the Hazardous Material team also responded to the scene.
Amanda Mata is still shaking after her near-death experience with carbon monoxide at the complex.
“I thought it was something that we ate,” said Mata.
Mata said she and her three young boys woke up Thursday morning to the sound of firefighters banging on her door at the Vintage Apartments off West 43rd Street.
“He came in and five seconds later he said no you need to wake them up now you need to get out of the apartment now,” said Mata.
She learned her family was exposed to the odorless gas six hours before she and her son’s were rushed to the hospital.
“We were shaky, sweaty and clammy,” said Mata.
The apartment manager told KPRC 2 a woman in her 20′s died. The apartment manager said the woman was staying in the unit with four to five other people. Her name was not on the lease.
He said a generator was found inside their closet with the door shut. According to the manager, the generator was used after power went out during Wednesday’s storm. He said not all of the units lost power. Those who did lose power were provided options for hotel arrangements, according to the manager.
Mata lives directly behind their unit. She said she is grateful her family is okay.
“I heard from 10 people that including medical personnel that we were lucky to be alive. That we were lucky not to be found in critical condition or deceased,” said Mata. “My husband probably would have come home and found us. He probably would have been planning four funerals.”
Doctors told Mata she and her son’s will experience long term side effects after being exposed to carbon monoxide. Residents told KPRC 2 the apartments did not have carbon monoxide alarms. One tenant said she bought alarms for everyone in the building that experienced the carbon monoxide exposure.
HFD Chief Pena said generators should never be kept inside a home, they need to be outside 20 feet away from anything.
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