Anchorage Fire Department

Contact Tom Kempton 317-7233

5-10-2007

Carbon Monoxide Suspected in Teenager's Death

Firefighters and Police Officers were called to a home at 520 W 87th at 5:04 PM

An adult female 911 caller was reporting that she had found her 13 year old daughter unresponsive and cold to the touch at this address.  First arriving firefighters found elevated levels of Carbon Monoxide inside the structure and with the assistance of Anchorage Police Officers were able to move the adult female to a medic unit where she was treated and transported to a local hospital suffering from what they beleived was carbon monoxide poisoning. Firefighters wearing protective self contained breathing apparatus made entry into the structure to search for any additional victims and found elevated levels throughout the dwelling.  Firefighters working with technicians from Enstar natural gas did not find an obvious source for the deadly Carbon Monoxide gas and are still investigating the incident.

This dwelling did not have Carbon Monoxide Detectors.  Carbon Monoxide is a deadly, odorless, colorless gas.  The only way to detect it in your home is with a properly operating Carbon Monoxide detector.