Susie Dorsett, left, is pictured with her friend Deborah White at Niagara Falls. Submitted photo

DUNKIRK — The sound of something beeping, coming from an unknown source and location, set into motion a chaotic evening for Dunkirk resident Susie Dorsett who’s convinced her life was saved by one of her best friends.

“I couldn’t have made it out without her. She saved me,” Dorsett said of the actions Tuesday by Deborah White. The two were with Dawn White at Deborah’s home on Lord Street in Dunkirk playing cards like they have done several times before.

Around 8 p.m., the sound of a repetitive beeping sound entered the room. The source befuddled the home’s occupants, which also included a newborn baby and Deborah White’s husband.

“We asked her husband to figure out where the beeping was coming from,” said Dorsett, noting that at first the trio playing cards thought the sound may have been coming from the TV. However, after the sound was turned down, it became clear the beeping was from a carbon monoxide detector in the home’s basement.

“We called 911 and they told us to open the windows and doors and get everyone out of the house,” Dawn White said.

While trying to evacuate, a dog got loose, sending some into a scramble to corral the pup while other efforts focused on getting the baby out of the home. Dorsett thought the dog may have come back inside and ventured into the basement.

After ensuring the baby and her husband were safe, Deborah White went to check on Dorsett, who had yet to come outside. That’s when she found her friend in need of help.

Dorsett said after looking for the dog she began to feel ill and couldn’t move. She eventually slid down to the floor.

“It just overwhelmed me,” Dorsett said of what she experienced.

Deborah White grabbed Dorsett underneath her arms, tried to get her upright before “basically just dragging her outside,” Dawn White said of her sister’s actions.

However, once outside Dorsett went into seizure and was soon met by members of the Dunkirk Fire Department. Dorsett was taken to the emergency room where she received treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning.

She remained at the hospital until Wednesday morning.

Now feeling better, Dorsett can’t help but praise her friend. “I just want to say she saved my life and I want to thank the firefighters who showed up,” she said.

According to the U.S. Fire Association, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. More than 150 people in the U.S. die every year from accidental nonfire-related CO poisoning associated with consumer products, including generators.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that faulty, improperly-used or incorrectly-vented fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces also can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. Symptoms of high-level poisoning include mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination and loss of consciousness.

The National Safety Council recommends installing a battery operated or battery backup carbon monoxide detector in the hallway near each separate sleeping area.