Two people have been rushed to Middlemore Hospital in a critical condition after suffering smoke inhalation from burning charcoal indoors. "When we got there it wasn't a house fire but two people had suffered smoke inhalation from charcoal," he said. He could not comment on whether it was suspicious as that was a matter for the police. Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is available, because when it burns it produces significant amounts of carbon monoxide. A St John spokeswoman said four ambulances attended the scene and two people were taken to Middlemore Hospital in a critical condition.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 08, 2019 00:00 UTC