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Carbon monoxide sickens responders rescuing suicidal man

4 Los Angeles police officers and 1 firefighter treated for CO exposure

By Joseph Serna
Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Four Los Angeles police officers and a firefighter were overcome by carbon monoxide early Friday when they rescued a man who was attempting suicide inside a boutique car dealership.

A relative of the man called police about 4 a.m. and alerted them that he might try and take his own life, officials said. Officers and firefighters rushed to Exclusive Motorcars in the 10500 block of West Pico Boulevard on the Westside, where the man had apparently started at least three cars in the showroom to fill it with exhaust fumes, CBS2 reported.

The man was passed out on the floor when officers arrived, the station reported.

Police were able to rescue the man before he could succumb but four officers and one firefighter were overcome by the fumes in the process, officials said. The four officers were treated at a hospital and released, said Sgt. Peter Kim.

The firefighter was also treated and is in fair condition, said LAFD spokesman Erik Scott. The man who was rescued is in the hospital, authorities said.

©2015 the Los Angeles Times

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