9 sickened by carbon monoxide at Melrose Park home

MELROSE PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Nine people were sickened by carbon monoxide in a home in west suburban Melrose Park and officials have ruled out foul play.

Five adults, ages 38 to 72, and four children, ages 9-13, were in the home on Rose Drive just south of North Avenue when emergency responders were called at about 5:45 a.m. Wednesday

In a statement, Police Chief Sam Pitassi said a car was left running. The family told police that they sometimes ran the older model Ford Mustang to keep it maintained, but fell asleep before turning it off.

"My wife, she turned it on. She left it on and forgot about it," the homeowner said Wednesday.

City officials ordered the family out of the home indefinitely as the house is aired out. The homeowner was escorted into the home Wednesday afternoon to get his child's medicine.

Fire officials said the carbon monoxide could have traveled quickly into the house, since two bedrooms are situated above the garage.

The victims were taken to Loyola University Medical Center, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital and West Lake Community Hospital for treatment. None of their injuries appeared to be life-threatening. Everyone has been released from hospital Wednesday evening.

One man briefly lost consciousness. He was given oxygen.

Police said not all of the victims lived in the home, some were out-of-town guests.

Six chihuahuas were also rescued from the home. Four of them were newborn puppies.