Four people were found dead in a New Hampshire town on Christmas Day from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, according to local authorities.
Wakefield Police Department responded Wednesday for a welfare check at 4:21 p.m. local time. At the address, they discovered that four victims, all adults, were dead, according to state fire marshal and police.
“While the investigation remains active and ongoing, at this time, investigators believe the victims died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning,” the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey, Wakefield Fire Rescue Chief Todd Nason and Wakefield Police Chief Michael Fenton said in a Wednesday press release.
Autopsies were slated for Thursday to confirm the cause and the manner of death of each of the individuals.
The investigation is ongoing.
Fire Marshal Toomey reminded the public of the importance of having working carbon monoxide alarms in their homes. The authorities said if the alarm goes off, residents should leave their homes immediately and dial 9-1-1.
Wakefield is in Carroll County, N.H., and has a population of more than 5,000 people.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that causes severe illness and death if it is inhaled. More than 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not related to fires, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
