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.

Here one case of burn is discussed, where thirty five year old person was found dead in his closed room. On crime scene visit it was found that only mattress is burnt, rest of the room is normal. On examination the deceased was sustained only 18% superficial burns. The samples were preserved for chemical analysis. Chemical analysis of blood reveals 46% carboxyl haemoglobin.