Ferdinand, IN – Ferdinand Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Hoppenjans credits the activation of an elderly couple’s carbon monoxide alarm with saving their lives Saturday night.
Firefighters called to the Rich and Evelyn Schwoeppe residence at 624 W. 23rd St. at 9:10 p.m. arrived to see the Ferdinand Police Department assisting the couple from the home.
An investigation quickly determined the couple’s car had accidentally been left running in the garage, which resulted in carbon monoxide fumes entering the living space, according to Hoppenjans.
Firefighters donned breathing apparatus and used a gas detector to confirm there were dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide in the house.
The department spent 30 minutes on the scene exhausting fumes from the house. The Schwoeppes, after being treated and released at the scene by Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services, spent the night with a family member, according to the chief.
It was estimated the car may have accidentally been left running in excess of three hours. Without the presence of a functioning carbon monoxide alarm, Hoppenjans indicated, there could have been tragic consequences.
Two trucks and 13 firefighters were on the scene 30 minutes.