Two adults and a 4-year-old girl died and two others were hospitalized after high levels of carbon monoxide were found in a West Babylon house Tuesday.

Suffolk police identified the dead as 27-year-old Ricardo Pearce, 25-year-old Tanisha Armstrong and 4-year-old Talani Johnson.

Authorities were alerted to the situation after tenants Keith Celli, 34, and Michelle Sierra, 32, complained of sickness. Suffolk police said they found a generator and kerosene heater at the residence, located at 437 Sunrise Hwy.

"It felt like this is what happens when people die," said Celli. "I couldn't breathe. I couldn't get enough oxygen."

The town condemned the property June 18, saying it was an illegal four-family house. Records show the property also had several summonses. According to officials, the landlord had threatened to kill town staffers after the condemnation.

Some of the violations included violating a stop-work order, having debris on the property, not having a building permit and not having a rental permit. The landlord was due in court Monday.

Town Supervisor Steve Bellone blamed the landlord, Wilson Milord, for the deaths. "He needs to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Bellone said. "He's not just a slumlord anymore, he's a criminal."

Authorities would not say if Milord will face any charges.

Associated Press wire reports contributed to this story.