The Styrian State Police Directorate confirmed a report from ORF Steiermark that all three may have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. They were taken to hospitals by rescue workers following the apartment was opened.
The Leoben-Stadt and Leoben-Göss fire departments were called to the house in the Donawitz district and first had to break open the locked door to the apartment. Immediately followingwards, a firefighter’s CO alarm went off; there was apparently a very high concentration of carbon monoxide. The gas supply was interrupted and pressurized ventilation was set up and activated, as the spokesman for the Leoben area fire brigade association announced. Two of the people were rescued from the apartment, and another was still there.
One of the victims was flown to the hospital in the Christophorus 17 rescue helicopter, the other two were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The operation was over following three and a half hours. The firefighters called in a chimney sweep and experts from the Leoben gasworks. The cause is still unclear, the police are investigating.
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