Two workers were rushed to a local hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning Tuesday morning in Needham after a heating system malfunctioned in a new home under construction, Fire Chief Tom Conroy said.
The two men had been working on the home at 29 Tolman St., when one of them called their boss and reported feeling ill, according to Conroy. A third party reported the incident to the fire department, he said.
Firefighters found both men unconscious on the first and second floor, when they arrived around 9:30 a.m., Conroy said.
Both men were taken to the hospital and appear to be in serious condition, Conroy said. They have been intubated and are being kept on a ventilator, he said.
“The vents (in the home) were brand new,” Conroy said. “Its hard to determine what it is until you feel ill.”
Investigators identified the heating system in the basement as the source of the carbon monoxide leak, according to the fire chief.
The leak spread throughout the house, while the men were working upstairs, Conroy said.
Firefighters immediately shut down the heating system and opened up all the windows and doors when they arrived, Conroy said. It took about an hour and a half to clear the scene.
“Make sure to have carbon monoxide detectors at home and test them,” he said. “If they go off, please call 911.”
The two victims worked for a subcontractor on the new home, Amy Haelsen, director of communications & community engagement for the town of Needham said.
On average, fire departments in Massachusetts respond to around 5,000 carbon monoxide incidents per year, according to the Mass. Department of Fire Services.
An overwhelming majority take place in homes, officials said.
Hannah Goeke can be reached at hannah.goeke@globe.com.