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1 dead, 1 burned in two separate generator-related accidents in Highlands County

Posted at 1:55 PM, Sep 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-15 14:03:41-04

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office says there were two separate generator-related accidents on Thursday and Friday following Hurricane Irma hitting Florida. 

On Thursday evening at approximately 7 p.m., a 67-year-old man fueling his generator was burned after his generator exploded. The man's home was consumed by flames and is now a total loss. He was taken to the hospital with burns. The man's burns are not life-threatening. The Sheriff's Office has not released his name. 

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On Friday, a 62-year-old man died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning from his generator running in his house. Deputies say a friend of the man stopped at his house to check on him and found him dead. The friend called 911 at approximately 9:13 a.m. Friday. The man's name has not been released at this time. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.