Her sister had found her unconscious in the bathtub and immediately sounded the alarm. In the course of renovation work, a styrofoam plate was placed in the chimney, which blocked the vent. The girl was taken to hospital by professional ambulance. The police are investigating for the time being against unknown.
The professional rescue service that was called determined an increased concentration of carbon when they arrived with the one-gas detector that they had carried with them, which is why the police and fire brigade were notified immediately. The 17-year-old was immediately taken to another room, where first aid measures began. Finally, after stabilization under artificial respiration, the young woman was taken to a Viennese hospital in acute danger of life by the professional rescue service.
Since the spread of the odorless and tasteless gas was still unknown at that time, the officials closed off the area around the house on Schwendergasse. Meanwhile, the fire brigade checked the other apartments in the house with several gas crews for increased carbon monoxide concentrations. All residents of the apartment building present were evacuated to a collection point and examined. In other apartments, the professional fire brigade also measured increased carbon monoxide values, which, however, did not reach dangerous levels. The other residents of the house escaped with a fright.
While looking for the cause, inspection chimney sweeps from the professional fire brigade found a styrofoam plate that was blocking the chimney. Extensive renovation work is currently being carried out on the affected house, which also includes the conversion of the attic. In the course of masonry work on the chimney, the plate was probably placed there to prevent concrete from penetrating.
Normally, according to the professional fire brigade, it would have to be ensured that none of the heaters connected to the affected vent were active during the work and the cover removed as quickly as possible. Both had obviously been neglected.
Source: Nachrichten
