Northumberland man dies of smoke inhalation
Dec. 17—A 70-year-old Northumberland man who was found dead in his home Thursday died of smoke inhalation, officials said.
The body of Brian Connor was discovered by first responders who had been called for a welfare check at 192 Lancaster Road, according to a news release from the state fire marshal's office.
When police officers and EMTs arrived at the scene, they observed the surfaces inside the home were covered with soot, but there was no active fire and no alarms were sounding. There were no carbon monoxide detectors inside the home, the news release said.
An autopsy conducted at the state medical examiner's office on Friday determined that Connor had died from smoke inhalation.
State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey reminded New Hampshire residents to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide, known as the silent killer, is an odorless, tasteless gas.
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include a dull headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.
If you have questions about smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, contact your local fire department or the fire marshal's office.
