SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — An elderly couple is in the hospital on Saturday night in critical condition after possibly being poisoned by carbon monoxide at their home in Scottsdale, according to the Scottsdale Fire Department.
The department says crews responded to the home near Pinnacle Peak and Pima roads on Saturday and put on personal protective equipment, including air packs, before going inside where they found the couple unconscious.
Paramedics treated the couple at the scene before taking them to a nearby hospital.
Firefighters found a car running in the garage, and a hazmat team measured high levels of carbon monoxide in the home.
Scottsdale Fire said this appears to be an accident.
No firefighters were hurt.
Scottsdale Fire said carbon monoxide poisoning happens when it builds up in a person's bloodstream. If too much carbon monoxide is in the air, then a person's body will start to replace the oxygen in red blood cells with carbon monoxide, which can lead to death.
The department warns that carbon monoxide has no odor, taste or color and can be caused by burning fuels, gas, wood, propane or charcoal.
This is a developing story. More details will be added as they are made available.
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