Officials warn of generator danger

Caution urged after carbon-monoxide deaths, injuries

When the family next door bought a generator last year after Hurricane Matthew, Sylvia Cittrell warned them of the danger of keeping it inside.

That’s what made the deaths of three of her neighbors even more tragic, she said.

Two teenagers and their 34-year-old mother were identified Wednesday as the victims of apparent carbon-monoxide poisoning from their generator on Tuesday night. Orange County deputy sheriffs found it running in the attached garage, powering a refrigerator, a standalone freezer and two fans.

On Wednesday, misuse of a generator claimed two more lives: a 7-year-old girl, Terryn Wilson, who died in Polk County, and a woman in Daytona Beach.

Terryn Wilson’s mother, Shashunda Wilson, 41, was overcome by fumes and was treated at a hospital in Lakeland, investigators said.

Three other people were injured in the Daytona Beach accident. One was released from Halifax Health Medical Center, but the other two were transferred to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where they were to be treated in a hyperbaric chamber, the Daytona Beach Fire Department said. No names were released.

A family of eight was injured in Titusville, and four people were treated in two separate carbonmonoxide incidents Tuesday in Polk County.

With many similar accidents across Central Florida in the days since Irma ripped though the state, officials are urging people to use their generators with caution.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs called the deaths “so avoidable.”

“It’s so unfortunate,” said Jacobs, herself still without power and using a generator. “For a lot of people, they lost some very precious members of their family.”

Jacobs said at a news conference that it’s urgent to spread the message of not keeping generators inside homes or garages.

“We’re urging you to pass this message to your friends, family and neighbors who may not see this broadcast,” Jacobs said. “You literally can be a hero by passing the message.”

Sheriff’s officials on Wednesday identified the victims of the Orange County poisoning as Jan Lebron Diaz, 13; Kiara Lebron Diaz, 16; and Desiree Diaz Molina, 34. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

Four others in the house in the 5600 block of Eggleston Avenue were taken to the hospital: Louis Lebron Diaz, 12; Karis Colon-Feliciano, 16; Evette Diaz, 37; and Mirta Feliciano, 51. Louis called 911 about 5 p.m. Tuesday to report that his mother and siblings were unconscious, deputies said. Diaz is related to the family, and Colon-Feliciano and Feliciano were visiting from Puerto Rico.

The deputy who responded to the call was overwhelmed by fumes and was treated at the scene, authorities said.

“When I went to bed, the generator was outside,” Cittrell said. “I don’t know if they got hot and brought it inside or what. They knew how to use that generator.”

Dr. George Ralls, Orange County director of health and public safety, said symptoms of carbon-monoxide poisoning can include headache and nausea. Someone sleeping likely would not notice them. Ralls said generators should be placed at least five feet from vents and windows.

“Please take this message seriously,” he said. “These devices are helpful ... [but] we’ve seen people get hurt already. Please keep in mind there is a danger that can come with generators.”

On Wednesday afternoon, a memorial of flowers and candles were left on the doorstep of the Eggleston Avenue house, near Lee Road and Edgewater Drive.

Eddie DelValle, a pastor of With Love Ministries, was outside the home to offer prayers to the family and neighbors. He said a carbonmonoxide detector should come with all generators.

“Something can be done with all this technology we have,” he said.

Cittrell said her neighbors were a nice family.

“We’re just devastated,” she said. “It’s a tragedy.”

Neighbor Jason Borelli said the kids played with his son. Borelli’s family was staying with a friend who had power, and he returned Tuesday evening to his street blocked off. “Me and my wife are heartbroken,” he said. “They were a friendly family, always very helpful.”