Fire chief stresses importance of carbon monoxide detectors

Oct. 24--POTTSVILLE -- Four city residents are lucky to be alive after carbon monoxide poisoning earlier this month.

Pottsville Fire Chief James E. Misstishin Sr. said a coal furnace that malfunctioned could have had deadly consequences.

"People would have been dead if they would not have called," Misstishin said Tuesday.

The Oct. 14 carbon monoxide call was in the east end of the city at an apartment complex. An exact location was not provided. Tenants called the landlord with no response earlier in the day. They called 911 in the evening when the sulfur smell would not go away.

He said four occupants of three of the five apartments went to a local hospital and one was admitted. Tenants and their pets were relocated for the evening. All have since recovered.

"It was very serious," Misstishin said.

City firefighters used air-monitoring equipment to detect the carbon monoxide that was found on all three levels of the building, which was later shut down for the evening, Misstishin said. The readings showed between 400 and 900 parts per million. At that rate, headaches, dizziness and convulsions can occur. At 1,600 ppm, death can occur in less than 2 hours, according to a sheet Misstishin provided.

"Carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless. It's a silent killer," Misstishin said

There were no carbon monoxide detectors in the apartment building, he said.

City code 187-13 states the following: "The owner of a structure shall supply and install required carbon monoxide detectors. The owner shall test and maintain carbon monoxide detectors located other than in a dwelling unit. The owner shall provide written information regarding carbon monoxide testing and maintenance to at least one adult tenant in each dwelling unit, The tenant shall test, provide general maintenance and replace required batteries for carbon monoxide detectors located in the tenant's dwelling unit."

Justin Trefsger, city code enforcement officer, said rental and owner occupied buildings that have fuel-burning appliances must have a carbon monoxide detector. City codes are online at www.city.pottsville.pa.us.

Misstishin and David Petravich, city building code officer, went to the building Oct. 15 to talk to the landlord and make sure the required detectors were in place

The landlord installed carbon monoxide detectors in the building and two additional smoke detectors, Misstishin said. The coal furnace was also serviced.

Trefsger said you can't put a price on a life. Carbon monoxide detectors are relatively inexpensive.

"Twenty bucks doesn't do anything if you're dead. Go out and buy them. This is cheap life insurance," he said.

From Sept 30, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018, Misstishin said the fire department responded to 26 calls for carbon monoxide, adding there have been several this month. Schuylkill Haven Assistant Fire Chief Jim Reed said the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department has responded to five calls from January to the end of May and four calls from August to Oct. 23. No calls were recorded in June or July. No residents have been admitted to the hospital this year as a result of a carbon monoxide incident, Reed said.

Most recently a carbon monoxide call on Washington Street, about two weeks ago, found a neighbor's home had a blocked chimney. The next-door neighbor had his carbon monoxide detector going off and firefighters could not find the source until they went to the next home.

Residents should call 911 if their carbon monoxide detector is going off and leave the residence and not leave open any doors or windows. Doing so will provide a more accurate reading, he said.

Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III said Tuesday a Minersville resident died in February from carbon monoxide poisoning. He was found in a garage with an ATV running. Moylan ruled the death accidental. He said people should be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide so they can protect themselves and those they love.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at least 430 people die each year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and about 50,000 visit the hospital each year because of it.

Contact the writer: ; 570-628-6028

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