Fire Department

Engine Company 10 was called to a northside home after a carbon monoxide alarm began sounding in the middle of the night. Occupants evacuated and met with firefighters outside, reporting that a technician looked at the furnace earlier that day and said it wasn’t burning efficiently.

The crew entered the home with an air monitor to find CO levels at approximately 40-45 parts per million on the main floor and in the basement. Firefighters activated the furnace and water heater, but neither appliance immediately presented themselves as obvious sources of the CO. MGE responded to assist and ultimately pinpointed the carbon monoxide leak to an exhaust pipe outside the home, where CO readings spiked to 2000 ppm.

Firefighters ventilated the home to clear the air, bringing CO readings down to 0 ppm, and the family was advised not to use their furnace again until it is repaired or replaced.