A couple was found dead inside their mobile home just before noon Sunday in the 300 block of E. 82nd Street. Although the medical examiner said their cause of death is still under investigation, the family thinks carbon monoxide poisoning is the reason Gerardo Lopez and Alixzandrea Martinez died.
“When we got home from church, we just saw a lot of police officers and some of the neighbors out there just out and about looking. We didn’t know exactly what was going on, but we just, you know…The first thing me and my husband said to each other was we hope everybody is OK,” said Alicia Penal, who lives in the same neighborhood.
First responders arrived to the East Lubbock trailer park on Sunday, but neighbors think they were dead in the mobile home for days.
The family and friends said they believe it is because the couple had a propane tank inside their home to keep warm. Lubbock Fire Rescue warns that heating method is extremely dangerous.
“You want to make sure when you are heating your house, you are using heaters that are rated for indoors,” said Capt. Kevin Ivy with Lubbock Fire Rescue.
One of the biggest concerns is carbon monoxide poisoning.
“You know, get a carbon monoxide detector, it’s a great way to make sure. Keep a check on your family and friends,” said Ivy.
“The heater works really good. The trailer stays well insulated, so whenever it gets hot in there, it lasts, it stays warm,” said Penal.
If you are around something that burns fuel and you start feeling symptoms like severe headache, nausea and dizziness, you need to call 911 immediately
