Three family members die of gas poisoning in Palma

Staff Reporter THREE members of the same family were found dead at their home in Son Ferriol. They are believed to have died on Monday from fumes from a faulty heater. Police sources named the victims as Antonio O R, aged 80, his wife Antonia P G, aged 75 and a grandson Juan Antonio R H, aged 44. The alarm was raised by relatives, who were worried because they had not heard from them for days. In answer to the alarm, the National Police officers went to the home, in the Cami Vell de Sineu at about 3pm yesterday and forced open the door, finding the bodies. According to police sources, the house was not connected to the electricity supply and the occupants used a diesel-oil fired generator for heating. Because of the cold weather, the heater had been left on all night. The cause of the breakdown has not been determined. According to police sources, it is believed that the generator broke down during the night, giving off a gas, possibly carbon monoxide, which is thought to be the cause of the deaths. Because of the state of the bodies, the coroner and police estimate that the three people died on Monday, but this will be determined by the autopsies, which will be held today. A judge went to the house to certify the death, and the police have opened an investigation. Stunned neighbours watched the police in silence as the bodies were removed from the house.