2 dead from carbon monoxide in N.C.

The Associated Press

WILSON, N.C. — Two workers died Saturday from exposure to carbon monoxide while working on a renovation project at an aerospace plant, a fire official said.

At least 17 others were taken to a hospital, but none appeared to be seriously injured, authorities said.

The two deceased victims were contractors hired for a job at the Kidde Aerospace and Defense plant and appeared to have been overcome by exhaust from a gasoline-powered saw used to cut concrete in an unventilated area, Cmdr. Mike Brown of the Wilson Fire Department told The Wilson Daily Times.

The workers' names were not released.

The incident happened during work on a $3.4 million expansion of the plant to house a design and engineering department, officials said.

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About 39 people were working at the plant when the accident occurred, said city spokesman Brian Bowman. Firefighters ventilated the plant to expel any pockets of the gas and officials said the plant's normal operations should resume Sunday.