The drama in the middle of my night

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So, I arrive home at 2.30 am and am being quiet so as not to wake the neighbours, when I realise my friend has her front door wide open, all the lights are on and there is a van outside with headlights on and a flashing light on top. Further investigation reveals this van is from the gas board. We look out for each other round here, so I am anxious to find out what has happened and calling at the wide open front door brings silence. I call again. Then I wait and call again and at last my friend comes into view. She explains her carbon monoxide warning went off. Another neighbour apparently rushed round. The gas board has come out to find out if we are all in danger of poisoning or explosion. The man with the meter in his hand is chatty and tells me he has to check my house too as they have to check the houses on either side of any house with a problem. So far as he can tell, there is no problem. My neighbour's carbon monoxide warning thing has developed a fault and we are all able to sleep safe in our beds. I do not even have gas. However, it is nice to know that in a crisis this neighbourhood all looks our for each other and it made an interesting talking point over the fence next day.