FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Two children were hospitalized after their father rushed their family to the hospital for apparent carbon monoxide poisoning.

The family, including the father, mother and four children, lives at a home in the 1600 block of Northwest 16th Court.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials said there was a generator running inside the home.

The children's father, 36-year-old Derek Frazier, said he was out of work for a few months because of an illness and could not afford his electrical bill. He said he began using a generator when the power went out.

"I had the generator to keep the deep freezer frozen because I had meat and stuff in there. I didn't want it to go spoiled," Frazier said.

Police said Frazier told them he shut off the generator when his family members were home and that he kept the windows open to air out the house.

On Monday morning, Frazier tried to wake up his children and could not.

"I just wanted to wake them up and get them dressed for school and drop them off to the bus stop, and they weren't responding," Frazier said.

Police and firefighters said carbon monoxide, coming from the generator inside the house, poisoned all four kids and their mother. Frazier rushed them to Plantation General Hospital.

The hospital called fire rescuers and police to inspect the home. Fire officials said the carbon monoxide levels in the home were several times the safe amount. They said the children are lucky to be alive.

Two of the children were hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The other children and their mother were released from the hospital.

"I love my kids and I love my family, and I'd just about do anything to support my kids. I think I'm a good father," Frazier said.

Frazier said he feels blessed that his family is still alive.

Two of the children are 9 years old, and the others are 7 and 4 years old.

The home has been deemed safe to live in once the hot water is turned on again.

Fire officials said keeping a running generator inside a home can be lethal. Police considered charging the parents with neglect but decided against it.