By JASON GEARY The Tampa Tribune



Published: Sep 3, 2007



ST PETERSBURG - Three family members, including a 9-year-old boy, were hospitalized Sunday for carbon monoxide poisoning after using a generator inside their home, according to St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue.



Rescuers received a 911 call just before at 11:59 p.m. Saturday about a gas leak at 2472 17th Ave. S.



A man told rescuers his mother, grandmother and brother were unconscious inside the home. They were taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg for treatment.



The child, Cory Hall, was released from the hospital Sunday, said Lt. Rick Feinberg, of St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue. The mother, Tamika Mitchell, and Elorador Mitchell, 59, were flown to Florida Hospital Orlando for further treatment, he said.



David Oakley, a spokesman for the Orlando hospital, said Elorador Mitchell was treated and released Sunday. Relatives told the hospital not to release information about Tamika Mitchell, he said.



Tamika Mitchell's oldest son told rescuers the family was using a generator because their power was turned off Friday, Feinberg said.



Police found a new generator inside the house's utility room, along with the box it came in and an owner's manual, he said.



When using generators, Feinberg said, people should remember to operate them well away from any occupied dwelling. He also encouraged people to have working carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms in their homes.



Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 865-1505 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.