A routine dispatch for a carbon monoxide investigation might have saved as many as five lives Tuesday in Tamaqua.

Emergency responders were dispatched to 175 Orwigsburg St. at 4:20 p.m. for suspected presence of carbon monoxide.Responding Tamaqua patrolman Collin Leibensperger and emergency medical technicians Harry Hontz and Michael Bowman of Tamaqua Ambulance found the front door locked.In a short time, a woman staggered to the door and opened it.After helping the woman outside, Leibensperger and paramedics rushed inside the home to remove two or three unconscious children and two disoriented adults.Tom Hartz, Tamaqua fire chief, noted that a generator was in use in the basement and was furnishing power to the house.Electricity reportedly had been shut off a few days earlier, according to a neighbor.All house occupants were treated at St. Luke's Hospital - Miners Campus, Coaldale.It was unclear if the family was able to return to the home.However, the Tamaqua Salvation Army offered to provide temporary housing to the family if needed.In addition to Tamaqua police and ambulance personnel, responders included South Ward Fire Company, Citizens Fire Company, Lehighton ALS, Penn Mahoning Ambulance and Tamaqua Fire Police.