THE tragic deaths of a grandmother and two of her grandchildren from carbon monoxide poisoning have prompted British Gas to issue a safety warning.

The company says lives depend on appliances being properly checked and serviced.

Mrs Emma Nelson, 75, Rebecca Marshall, 15, and Michael Wright, 13, were found dead in bedrooms at Mrs Nelson's home in Burnley, last week. Police say a gas water heater was properly installed recently, but they think a running tap may have caused fumes to build up.

A spokesman for British Gas said: "Gas appliances need to be checked and serviced regularly by a qualified engineer, just as you would service your car to ensure it runs properly.

"It is also vital to provide adequate ventilation in rooms which contain gas appliances.

"Warning signs to watch out for include staining around the surround of a fire, a boiler burning with a yellow or orange flame or a strange smell when an appliance is turned on.

"Medical symptoms include unexplained headaches, sickness, lethargy and streaming eyes.

"If you suspect a carbon monoxide problem, switch off all appliances and contact the emergency number: 0800 111999. These reports are treated as urgently as natural gas leaks."

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