Fumes from portable generator send Hermitage family to hospital

HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Monday's storms that cut electrical service to 26,000 Penn Power customers in Mercer County caused a run on portable generators, and a Hermitage family that got one to run their appliances nearly paid a very high cost.
Police said Michael Ludwig, 44, his wife, Susan, 47, and their daughter, Stacey Marie, 19, were all overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from a gasoline-powered generator running overnight Tuesday in the garage attached to their home at 710 Lyle Drive.
All three were taken to Sharon Regional Health System for treatment. Michael and Stacey Marie were treated and released; Susan was admitted. She was discharged Thursday.
Jim Reda, assistant city fire marshal, said the initial call for help came from Michael Ludwig, who dialed 911 when he found his wife unresponsive around 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Police and ambulance crews who went to the scene reported a strong odor of exhaust throughout the house. Susan Ludwig was unresponsive and Michael appeared to be disoriented, Reda said.
A police officer heard the generator running and shut it off, he said.
Here's the warning
"There are tons of generators running everywhere," Reda said, explaining that people have them and were using them to run appliances in their homes until power was restored.
People must be aware that gasoline-powered equipment cannot be run indoors or in an enclosed area. It must only be operated outside in well-ventilated areas away from the house, he said.
The engines produce carbon monoxide which is colorless and odorless but very deadly, he said.