The dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning were highlighted yesterday when a person in Penzance had a lucky escape.

Paramedics and five firefighters were sent to New Street in the town just after 9.20pm after being called by a householder saying their carbon monoxide alarm was going off and they were feeling unwell.

They were treated by ambulance paramedics, while the fire crew went into the house wearing breathing equipment and armed with a gas monitor.

They found the noxious gas was indeed inside the house and traced the cause back to a defective flue on the wood burning stove.

The firefighters put out the fire and ventilated the building, before giving advice to the occupant.

  • Anyone who suspects carbon monoxide in their house should call 999 and ask for the fire service, and go outside in the fresh air to wait for the crew to arrive.

Symptoms include nausea, headaches, dizziness, tiredness and feeling disorientated.

Look out for gas appliances burning with a yellow/orange flame that is normally blue, as well as extra condensation, pilot lights blowing out, soot and/or yellow stains round appliances.