Carbon monoxide poisoning in Brentwood sends 10 to hospital, police say

Ten people were hospitalized on Thursday morning, including two who were seriously injured, from carbon monoxide poisoning blamed on a faulty oil burner at a Brentwood home, Suffolk County police said.

Around 7:05 a.m., officers and the Brentwood Fire Department responded to a 911 call of someone feeling sick. Brentwood firefighters found high levels of carbon monoxide in a multifamily residence on American Boulevard.

Firefighters found two unconscious residents inside.

Police said an 87-year-old man was taken to Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson and his 52-year-old son was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. Both were being treated for serious injuries. 

Another eight people, between the ages of 10 and 42, were taken to hospitals to be treated for minor injuries.

An improperly functioning oil burner in the basement of the dwelling was determined to be the source of the carbon monoxide, the Brentwood Fire District said in a news release.

Angel Raudales, 16, said his mom called him Thursday morning to tell him she was feeling ill and was taking his 10-year-old brother to the hospital. When he arrived at his home later, it was surrounded by police and firefighters. 

"She told me she wasn't feeling well and my brother was even worse," Raudales said. "I'm pretty sure she walked outside because she wasn't feeling good and that's when she realized that everyone else wasn't feeling good. I think she called an ambulance."

Raudales visited his mother on Thursday at South Shore University Hospital, where she and his brother were recovering. He said two other families lived in the home, including the landlord.

The owner of the building could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

The Islip Town Fire Marshal's Office determined the house was unfit for occupancy until repairs are made.

The residents were assisted by the American Red Cross as relatives evacuated the home on Thursday morning with their belongings.