Police and Fire officers have issued a warning to residents about the dangers of making improvised heating devices after a family was hospitalised due to severe smoke inhalation.

NT Fire and Rescue Service's District Officer (Southern) Tom Konieczny said police and ambulance crews were called to a residence in Gap Road just before 11am yesterday after a family of three was found unconscious in their one bedroom unit . Mr Konieczny said a friend had become concerned after the family failed to arrive at the Todd Mall Markets as arranged yesterday.

The alarm was raised and emergency crews found a 32-year-old man and his 31-year-old wife and seven year-old daughter unconscious in their unit.

Mr Konieczny said it appeared a fire had been lit in a metal bucket to provide heating in the small flat. All doors and windows were closed and the family suffered severe carbon monoxide poisoning through the night as they slept.

"This is a tragic situation with very serious consequences," Mr Konieczny said.

"Obviously with no other means of heating in the unit the fire was lit to provide warmth for the family, however, they were apparently unaware of the dangers of smoke build-up in a closed environment such as this. With no ventilation the toxic gases built up and eventually led to carbon monoxide poisoning.

"With the onset of the colder weather in Alice Springs we want to be sure people are aware of the dangers of setting up these sorts of improvised heating devices inside enclosed spaces. The sad fact is this situation could well have been lethal."

The two adults were flown to Adelaide last night and have undergone hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. They remain in a stable condition. Their daughter remains in the Alice Springs Hospital and is also in a stable condition.





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