SA carbon monoxide tragedy: man dead, three hospitalised after heat beads brought inside

A man has died and three others are in hospital after heat beads were burned inside a South Australian house, filling a back room with carbon monoxide while the men slept.

Emergency crews were called to the Penola Rd property in Mount Gambier about 9am on Saturday, after a housemate found all four men unconscious. He began CPR and called for help.

WATCH ABOVE: Man dies after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in SA

Paramedics, worried there could be a gas leak, waited outside while firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went in and carried the men out.

Three survived and remain in hospital.

Tragically, a 55‑year‑old man couldn’t be revived and died at the scene.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner and say the incident is not believed to be suspicious.

The tragedy echoes a similar case at Bedford Park in 2022, when two men and two women — all in their 20s and 30s — brought a charcoal brazier loaded with heat beads inside to keep warm.

In 2024, three people left unconscious in Sydney’s west after inhaling carbon monoxide from BBQ used as indoor heater.

They were overcome by carbon monoxide, which has been dubbed the “silent killer” with no smell, taste or colour.

The emergency has prompted a renewed warning from authorities that charcoal bead cookers, BBQs and outdoor heaters should not be used indoors.

Health authorities warn babies, young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable, with symptoms ranging from headaches and nausea to confusion, collapse and loss of consciousness.