Leaking burner leaves pair close to death

By [jcooper]

A BROTHER and sister from North Devon have spoken of their terrifying brush with death from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Malcolm Dorrington and sister Jeanette Clayfield, both 53, of Butts Close in Witheridge, had to be evacuated from their home by fire crews on Thursday last week.

Both had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning through a leak from their wood burner.

Jeanette was taken to North Devon District Hospital and released the next day.

Malcolm, speaking exclusively to the Journal, described the symptoms as "frightening".

He said: "We'd lit the fire around 4.30pm and a few minutes later I had a banging headache but didn't think much of it.

"We settled down to watch Emmerdale later that evening and both fell asleep — the fire was warm.

"I woke up an hour later, shaking, with a dry mouth and feeling very dizzy. Jeanette was unconscious and her eyes had rolled back in her head and she was starting to go into spasm.

"I also noticed that one of my dogs was frothing at the mouth and had been sick all over the carpet."

In a dazed state, Malcolm managed to open his front door and call for help at a neighbour's house.

He said: "I was panicking by this point. I just didn't know what was going on.

"My neighbour rang an ambulance and explained what was happening. Paramedics told us to lay my sister down on the floor until they arrived."

Fire crews from Witheridge and Chulmleigh were the first to arrive and evacuated Malcolm, Jeanette and their two Jack Russells, Belle and Dotty, before airing the house with a giant fan.

Both Jeanette and Malcolm have made a full recovery but are keen to warn others of the "silent dangers" of carbon monoxide.

Malcolm said: "We really are lucky to be alive — if I hadn't woken up the paramedics would have found two bodies.

"I've since been out and bought several carbon monoxide detectors and I'll make sure in future that our chimney is clear. I would strongly advise others to do the same."

Update: Emergency services are called to a second carbon monoxide leak in Butts Close on Thursday, December 17.