A carbon monoxide leak in a St. Albans, Queens home critically injured a woman and sickened three others on Tuesday. Firefighters discovered the woman unconscious on the top floor of the 194th Street house just before 10:30 a.m., after responding to a call. Their carbon monoxide detectors immediately registered high levels of the deadly gas on each floor of the building. A resident, Ryan Mohan, described the scene, stating that the woman and her daughter both collapsed due to the exposure. The woman was rushed to Nassau University Medical Center’s hyperbaric chamber in critical condition. Mohan’s wife and young son were also treated for carbon monoxide poisoning but are expected to recover.
A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern about the house’s apparent illegal renovations, noting the numerous people living within its walls, including in the garage. Initial investigations revealed that the three-story home had been illegally subdivided into seven apartments—two in the basement, two on the first floor, two on the second, and one in the attic where the woman was found. The Department of Buildings has already issued two violations: one for over-occupancy and another for unlicensed renovations which compromised the tenants’ ability to safely evacuate in the event of a fire.
Investigators believe the likely source of the leak was a malfunctioning hot water heater with an improperly connected venting system. This prevented the deadly carbon monoxide from escaping the building, leading to the dangerous buildup. Despite the presence of smoke detectors, the home lacked carbon monoxide detectors, leaving the residents unaware of the escalating danger. The FDNY emphasized the importance of properly ventilating and maintaining appliances and urged New Yorkers to always use carbon monoxide alarms and licensed plumbers for any necessary work.
The affected tenants were temporarily displaced, receiving assistance from the Red Cross to find alternative housing on Christmas Eve. While they were allowed to retrieve their belongings, their long-term residency remains uncertain pending building code compliance. The neighbor expressed sympathy for the families, highlighting the unfortunate timing of the incident during the holiday season. The future of their living situation remains unclear until the necessary repairs and inspections are completed.