Emporia, KS – A homeowner at 526 South Union Street smelled a strong odor of natural gas and immediately exited the residence.
According to Emporia Fire Department lieutenant Ron Ewing, that was a very smart move on the homeowner’s part.
The natural gas odor turned out to be a lethal dose of carbon monoxide if the homeowner stayed in his house for too long. The Emporia Fire Department determined this after entering the home and using their air monitors.
These air monitors detect carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, the potential flammable atmosphere of the building, and how explosive the atmosphere is for the current time.
The Emporia FD immediately ventilated the house by opening all of the windows and doors.
After ventilating the house, they concluded the carbon monoxide gas occurred from a gas leak. The gas leak came from malfunctioning hot water.k
Kansas Gas Service arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and took over the investigation.