Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Burn - A Case Report

Carbon monoxide poisoning is an important aspect of most fires - indeed it is the major or even sole cause of death in many victims of conflagrations, especially in house fire. When any combustible material burns in air, most of the carbon in organic material, such as timber, fabric and furnishings, is converted to carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide is also produced, however, and, where the access of oxygen is limited or exhausted by the ongoing combustion, larger volumes of the carbon monoxide are produced. Slow, smouldering fires with little flame are likely to produce more monoxide, as with burning bedclothes and mattresses.