St. James, MN – The St. James Fire Department responded to United Methodist Church Tuesday after the church’s carbon monoxide detector augured danger; when the fire department showed up and tested the level in the church, the level exceeded what their instrument could measure, said Fire Chief Jason Monnens.
CenterPoint Energy was called, and they determined the problem was from the boilers, Monnens said. They’ll “red tag” the boilers, taking them out of use, until they are fixed.
One of the fire department’s massive fans is being used at the church to pressurize the environment, Monnens said. Between the fan and keeping the doors open, the church could be safe enough for people to return to it Wednesday. Naturally, fire fighters will again test the levels in the air before allowing anyone back in; as long as the boilers remain out of use, the carbon monoxide levels should remain at a safe amount.
Dana Moody, church secretary, was sickened last week by the carbon monoxide, and she installed a detector in the church, she said. Fire fighters tested her today with their Rad-57 device, which measures a person’s carbon monoxide level, and determined she didn’t require hospitalization–although they advised her she “should be checked out.”
In addition, the pastor of the church, Clinton F. Firstbrook III, was slated to be tested Tuesday night when he returned to town from a funeral.