Married Firefighters Die Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning At Home

CENTRAL CITY, CO — Cody Allen and Shelby Allen, a married couple in tiny Central City — a town with fewer than 1,000 residents — devoted their lives to helping save others. Their close-knit Colorado community is distraught just days after both died of an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in their home.

Cody Allen, 29, was a lieutenant with the Central City Fire Department, where his wife, Shelby Allen, 27, also worked as a volunteer firefighter.

They were found dead in their Central City home on Dec. 11, according to a statement from the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office. Their deaths resulted from "accidental carbon monoxide poisoning," the local coroner's office later confirmed.

"Heaven was needing more heroes, so he came down to take two of ours this morning," The Gilpin County Animal Response Team said on Facebook. "Their smiles will be missed by all that knew and loved them."

The Allens were both from Gilpin County, got married two years ago and "were looking forward to raising their family" in the area where they grew up, the sheriff's office said. Both their families have been active members of the community "for many, many years."

They are among the 430 Americans who die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion, the CDC has stated. Those who are sleeping can die from the poisoning before they experience any symptoms.

The CDC has guidelines on how to prevent becoming victims like the Allens. Among them is having a CO detector with a digital readout that can alarm people to high levels in the home.