AN ELDERLY man has been taken to hospital and treated by paramedics after high levels of carbon monoxide was found in his Basildon home.

When fire crews arrived at the property at 8:10am this morning, they had found a gas hob had been left on.

Readings were then taken at the property in Beambridge Court, Basildon, which found high levels of carbon monoxide inside the property.

Firefighters immediately ventilated the property and called for an ambulance for an elderly man living in the house as a precaution.

READ MORE >> Elderly man left waiting for hours in ambulance outside Southend Hospital

Dan Partridge, Essex Fire group manager, said: “Carbon monoxide is known as a silent killer.

“You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. Which is why it's so important you have working carbon monoxide alarms in your home if you have a gas boiler, gas appliances or an open fire or log burner.

"Thankfully we were notified by the occupants’ carers this morning.

“We don't know how long the gas had been left on, but it is possible it could have been on all night, it was good that they called us when they did."

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which is produced when fossil fuels burn inefficiently. The most common sources are faulty boilers, gas fires and cookers.

Known as the silent killer, due to its lack of colour, taste and smell, carbon monoxide is invisible to the human senses, which is why alarms are so important.

Essex Fire say each year in the UK alone, more than 200 people are hospitalised with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, which leads to around 60 deaths.

The ambulance services confirmed the man was taken to Basildon Hospital for further assessment and treatment. 

Councillor Stuart Terson, responsible for the Pitsea North ward where the incident took place, said the quick response probably saved the man’s life.

He said: “My thoughts go out to this gentleman involved, and I hope he makes a full recovery.

“Again, thanks to our emergency services and the carers for a quick response.

“This probably saved the man’s life.

“It also shows how importance it is to have both a working carbon monoxide and smoke alarm.”