NEWS

Blocked chimney flue blamed in Ohio CO deaths

Associated Press

TROY – Officials have determined a blocked chimney flue at a southwest Ohio home caused carbon monoxide poisoning that led to the deaths of three children and left a fourth in critical condition.

They were found unresponsive Friday in Troy, roughly 20 miles north of Dayton. A 13-year-old girl and her 14-year-old sister died that day. Their 13-year-old cousin died Sunday. Her 8-year-old brother is hospitalized.

Assistant fire chief Matthew Simmons tells the Dayton Daily News a flue pipe connected to the furnace didn't properly vent the colorless, odorless gas.

The children had felt ill for days. They lived with their grandmother, who was hospitalized with pneumonia Friday.

An attorney for a couple who own the home has said they weren't aware of furnace problems and didn't know children lived there.