Man dies, woman in critical condition in Cecil County

Was an apparent carbon monoxide poisoning from kerosene heater

A 59-year-old man died and a 65-year-old woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition after they suffered apparent carbon monoxide poisoning Saturday in Cecil County.

Cecilton Volunteer Fire

Department and Cecil County Department of Emergency Services paramedics responded to Florida Avenue in Crystal Beach around 12:25 p.m., the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal said Sunday. Family members who checked on the couple called 911 after finding the man unresponsive in the living room and his girlfriend shivering and disorientated in the bedroom, the fire marshal said. The woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The fire marshal identified the victim as Steven Hannaford.

The home had no electricity, a strong odor of kerosene inside and soot-covered walls, the fire marshal said. A kerosene heater was the only source of heat, the heater’s chimney was not seated properly and the fuel inside had run dry, the fire marshal said. Investigators believe carbon monoxide caused by the incomplete combustion of the kerosene heater contributed to the man’s death and the woman’s hospitalization.

Kerosene heaters are considered efficient at burning fuel to produce heat, but they produce certain pollutants, such as carbon monoxide. Low levels of these pollutants may be harmful, especially to individuals with chronic respiratory or circulatory health problems.

The fire marshal’s office suggests that anyone using a kerosene fuel-fired heater fill the unit outside, operate the heater in a room with a door open to the rest of the house, open an outside window approximately 1 inch to permit fresh air to the enter the home and ensure that the wick is set at the proper level, clean and in good operating condition.

Portable kerosene heaters are banned for use in Baltimore City, according to the state fire marshal.