11 people suffer carbon monoxide poisoning in Hobart house

Eleven people, including nine children, are lucky to be alive after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning in Hobart.

Eleven people, including nine children, were lucky to be alive on Tuesday night after suffering potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning in a quiet Hobart suburban home.

Neighbours suggested a large migrant family was among those affected by the dangerous gas overnight on Monday, after the indoor use of a charcoal BBQ at a home in Hillsborough Rd, South Hobart.

All were treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital on Tuesday, with two adults and five children initially in a serious condition, but all were expected to be released from hospital by late Tuesday night.

Tasmania Fire Service Acting Deputy Regional Chief Phil Smith. Picture: Luke Bowden

While balloons could be seen attached to a railing outside the home, authorities would not comment on whether the incident occurred during a children’s school holiday sleepover.

The leafy street was disturbed at about 2.15am on Tuesday by four ambulances and a fire truck, after a triple-0 call.

All 11, including nine children aged from two months to 17 years, were taken to the RHH for treatment. However, all the children were discharged in a stable condition by Tuesday night and the two adults were expected to follow them soon, a health spokesman said.

Neighbours said they were “worried” for the family at the house where the incident occurred. “They are a large family (originally) from Africa – five or six kids and a range of ages,” close neighbour Gilbert Leitch told The Australian.

“They are a normal, happy family, who’d been living there about six months. The kids would kick a soccer ball but otherwise they were pretty quiet.”

A charcoal burner seen outside the Hobart home. Picture: Matthew Denholm.

Paramedics and firefighters attended the distressing scene, where Hobart Fire Brigade personnel measured carbon monoxide levels “at least four to five times” safe levels.

The Australian observed a square charcoal burner left near the home’s front door. Senior firefighter Phil Smith said it appeared those involved had been cooking with a charcoal BBQ indoors, unwittingly releasing dangerous carbon monoxide gases into the home.

“It’s odourless and colourless … it is combustible and it is around the same specific gravity as air, so it will float around,” he said. “It can bring headaches, shortness of breath, unwell, nauseous feelings …”

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch warned if unchecked carbon monoxide poisoning could lead to permanent brain damage or death. “The principal risk is people essentially going to sleep through lack of oxygen and dying, but it can cause various forms of brain damage that can have lifelong consequences,” Dr Veitch said.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney expressed her sympathies for those affected by the incident. The government would “take on board” any advice about further measures to tackle carbon monoxide poisoning.

Mr Smith urged people not to use outdoor cooking equipment indoors. “We wouldn’t recommend any solid fuels to be used indoors unless it’s properly ventilated and installed to support indoor use,” he said.

There could be a case for more education about such dangers among migrant communities. “In terms of culturally and linguistically diverse communities … getting a clear message through … can be a challenge due to the clear language barrier,” he said.

“Carbon monoxide concerns within our community haven’t been identified as a specific risk. However, it could be something that’s considered in packaging and education for those people that speak English as a second language.”