North Huntingdon couple found dead; carbon monoxide poisoning suspected

Residents along Altman Street in North Huntingdon were shocked Friday to learn about the deaths of two elderly neighbors, believed to have been victims of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Joseph and Freda Polinski, both 88, were found dead inside their home Thursday.

“A family member was unable to contact his parents and drove to their home where he found them,” said police Chief Robert Rizzo.

Police were called to the tidy brick home in the 700 block of Altman Street about 9:40 p.m. A small front porch with a white railing highlights the front door of the house, where a storm door remained open Friday afternoon.

Lauren Eckel, 40, who lives across the street, said Joseph and Freda seemed to be best friends. Joseph Polinski continued to cut his own grass and shoveled the walks in the winter. Each time he went outside to do yard work, Freda would watch to make sure he was OK, Eckel said.

“They were genuinely nice,” Eckel said.

Roger Newman, 65, who lives next door, said the couple lived in the community for at least two decades and mostly kept to themselves.

“I was shocked when I heard,” Newman said.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gasoline, wood, natural gas, charcoal or other fuel, according to MayoClinic.org. Appliances and engines that are not properly ventilated, especially inside enclosed spaces, could allow carbon monoxide to rise to lethal levels.

Each year, about 50,000 people in the United States are hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 400 deaths are attributed to accidental CO poisoning annually.

“When medics from North Huntingdon Rescue 8 arrived on the scene, they could detect a very strong odor of carbon monoxide within the residence,” Rizzo said. “Westmoreland City Volunteer Fire Department was activated to ventilate the scene before investigators could process the scene.”

The county coroner’s office is assisting in the police investigation.

Ott Funeral Home of Irwin is in charge of arrangements for the Polinskis.