A 69-year-old man died at his home this Wednesday in the municipality of Leonese olded on by carbon monoxide poisoning linked to barbecuing. The incident unfolded in the town as emergency crews were alerted to a person found unconscious inside a residence. The call came through the Castilla y León emergency service network shortly after 9:00 a.m., prompting responders to mobilize rapid medical and safety support to the site.
Emergency operators relayed the scene to Health Emergencies Sacyl, triggering a response from the mobile intensive care unit and on-site medical teams. Upon arrival, clinicians determined that the likely cause of the event was exposure to toxic gas produced by an indoor or poorly ventilated barbecue. A carbon monoxide detector on the premises supported the preliminary assessment, and the notification was immediately escalated to the Leon Civil Guard and the Leon Fire Department as a precautionary measure to secure the area and assess any related risks.
Sacyl personnel at the scene confirmed the gravity of the situation and subsequently verified the man had died. This case underscores the danger of carbon monoxide buildup in enclosed spaces when barbecuing with charcoal or gas, particularly in settings without adequate ventilation or CO detectors. The authorities emphasize that carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause rapid loss of consciousness and death in a matter of minutes when exposure is intense. Local safety officials advise residents to always use outdoor grills in open air, maintain working detectors in living spaces, and never operate combustion devices inside homes, garages, or other enclosed structures. Fire department and medical teams continue to monitor the scene to ensure there are no lingering risks to nearby residents, and investigators will review the circumstances to provide clear guidance on prevention and safer habits for the community.