1 dead in Illinois after attempt to clear clogged drain

GRAND TOWER, Ill. (AP) - Authorities in southern Illinois say a man is dead after mixing drain cleaner with bleach in an attempt to clear a clogged drain.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinois reports that the Jackson County Sheriff's Office says in a news release that a preliminary investigation shows the man created a poisonous gas that killed him. He was pronounced dead at the scene in Grand Tower. Police say officers responded to a call about 3:13 p.m. Tuesday.

Authorities say a woman escaped the home "due to the fast thinking of the dispatcher" who realized a deadly exposure occurred. She was taken to a St. Louis hospital.

The man's name wasn't immediately released pending notification of next of kin.

Grand Tower is about 95 miles southeast of St. Louis.

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Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com