FOUR members of the same family have been taken to hospital following a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning incident.

Two people had collapsed, and four other people were taken to hospital from a property on St Anns Road in Middlewich at 11pm on Friday, November 15.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the property to isolate the services. The gas supply and two internal fires were also isolated.

Firefighters then used a large fan to ventilate the property. Police also attended the scene.

An investigation into what caused the leak of the carbon monoxide has been launched and is being led by the Health and Safety Executive.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This is a rare case for us in finding the source of what’s happened in a carbon monoxide incident. Health and Safety have launched an investigation and are looking further into the incident.”

This week sees the 8th annual carbon monoxide awareness week taking place with Cheshire firefighters urging every household to be careful and carry out regular checks on appliances.

Keith Brooks the Service’s Head of Community Fire Protection said: “We are supporting the work of the charity Carbon Monoxide Awareness in highlighting the importance of carrying out regular checks on all relevant appliances and ensure people install a CO detector.

“These detectors can be bought in most supermarkets and DIY stores. They’re not expensive and they save lives. Also any landlords out there should remember that it is a legal requirement to ensure that they get gas boilers and fires in their properties checked every year.”

Carbon monoxide kills some 15 people every year. Without a CO detector, there is no way of knowing that you’re being poisoned until the damage is already being done.