MEC&F Expert Engineers : 11/09/17

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Construction worker Jesse Zimmer, 38, with Acme Plumbing & Heating Company critically injured after a metal beam fell from the fifth floor and hit the Readilite portable toilet he was inside in Durham, NC. Raleigh-based Barnhill Contracting is in charge of the project.









DURHAM, NC (WNCN) -

Durham Police said a construction worker could die after a metal beam fell from the fifth floor and hit a portable toilet he was inside of.

The beam fell at a site in the 400 block of Morris Street around 3:30 p.m.

The worker was inside the portable toilet on ground level when the metal beam fell.

The beam hit the portable toilet and the worker, police confirmed.

The worker was rushed to the Duke hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Barnhill Contracting Company said the injured worker is an employee of a local plumbing company.

The North Carolina Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Division is investigating.

A spokesman for the NCDL confirmed that the victim was an employee of Acme Plumbing Company.

In some places you cannot even take a crap without risking injury or death.

Marty Mangum wrote on Facebook:



I just visited Jesse Zimmer in the hospital. He is in desperate need of prayer. God is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. Also pray for his family as they walk through this difficult journey.==============


DURHAM (WTVD) -- A construction worker is in critical condition after he was injured Wednesday while using a portable toilet at work.



Durham Police identified him Thursday as 38-year-old Jesse Zimmer.

Police said the incident happened around 3:30 Wednesday afternoon at a construction site in the 400 block of Morris Street.

Officers said Zimmer was inside of the portable toilet when a large metal beam fell off of a building from five stories up and hit the portable bathroom, crushing it.
"We called 911 with some other guys. We tried to figure out what was going on," said Luis Carmona, who was arriving to pour concrete at a nearby construction site when the incident happened.


Zimmer was taken to the hospital.

Carmona said he has seen accidents before but this one left him "shocked."

The 15-acre construction site covers the entire 400 block of Morris Street at Hunt Street.

It's the first phase of the $100 million Durham Innovation District - two seven-story buildings of research labs, retail, and restaurants.

Raleigh-based Barnhill Contracting is in charge of the project.

Department of Labor records show two serious accidents on Barnhill sites since 2008.

ABC11 reached out to Barnhill but did not hear back Wednesday.

As of late Wednesday evening, the injured worker remained in critical condition. He remained hospitalized Thursday, police said.

"It could've happened to anybody," Carmona said. "It could've been me, or anybody else."




==================


State investigation begins after worker injured in portable toilet

Posted 10:11 a.m. today
Updated 8 minutes ago


Durham, N.C. — Investigators with the North Carolina Department of Labor were working Thursday morning at a Durham construction site to piece together the accident that led to a beam falling on a portable toilet while a man was inside.

Jesse Zimmer, 38, is an employee of Acme Plumbing and Heating Company, which was contracted by Barnhill Contracting Company to work on the site, at 400 Morris St.

Durham police said Zimmer was inside the portable toilet at about 3 p.m. Wednesday when a large metal beam fell from the fifth floor of a building, crushing the toilet.

Zimmer was rushed to a local hospital where he is being treated for serious injuries.


A Department of Labor spokeswoman said her agency learned about the incident when they saw it on the news. Acme had contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which checks and enforces safe working conditions. The agencies will work together to investigate the accident, Department of Labor spokeswoman Mary Katherine Revel said. The construction site is part of the Durham Innovation District, which will include 1.3 million square feet of parking, retail, office and residential space, according to the project's website.

3 crew members injured after a Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III helicopter operated by Air Evac EMS Inc. crashed in an urban area in east Union City, Tennessee




UNION CITY, Tenn. — 


Three crew members suffered minor injuries after a medical helicopter went down hard in a landing in Union City on Wednesday.

The chopper went down near Home and Howard Street near the Union City Police 911 building.

A spokesperson with the Air Evac Lifeteam said Air Evac 143 went down at 11:40 a.m., with three crew members were on board. They were based out of Troy, Tennessee and were headed to Obion County.

No patients were involved. Three crew members were treated and released from a local hospital.

Brad Woody, program director for the Obion County Air Evac base, was waiting for the crew at the 911 dispatch center in Union City when the hard landing occurred.

“The crew was on its way to the dispatch center to go over the new satellite tracking capabilities Air Evac provided to them,” Woody said. “We are thankful the crew experienced only minor injuries.”

The NTSB and FAA have been notified of the event.


Date: 08-NOV-2017
Time: 11:40 LT
Type:
Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III
Owner/operator: Air Evac EMS Inc
Registration: N275AE
C/n / msn: 51186
Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities: 0
Airplane damage: Substantial
Location: Obion County, Union City, TN - United States of America
Phase: En route
Nature: Ambulance
Departure airport: Troy, TN
Destination airport: Union City, TN
Narrative:
While en route the air ambulance / HEMS helicopter experienced a hard force landing in an urban area in east Union City, Tennessee. The helicopter sustained substantial damage consistent with a wire strike (tbc). The three occupants received minor injuries (e.g. smashed upper windscreen, lost upper wire strike cutter and transmission). There was no patient onboard.

Some press report suggest a 'training flight' while others state the crew were en route to the Union City site for a sat tracking system briefing.

Sources:
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/2017/11/08/helicopter-crashes-union-city-tn/
http://www.wbbjtv.com/2017/11/08/medical-helicopter-crashes-union-city/
http://wreg.com/2017/11/08/medical-helicopter-crashes-in-obion-county/
http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/air-evac-helicopter-crashes-in
-union-city-tennessee/853672837
_____________________
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=275AE

Avoid Common Asthma Triggers after a Hurricane





Avoid Common Asthma Triggers after a Hurricane

silhouette of a person using an inhaler

An asthma attack can happen when you or your children are exposed to asthma triggers. After a hurricane, more or different asthma triggers may be present.  The following tips can help you and your family avoid common asthma triggers after a hurricane:  
  • Wash hands. Illnesses such as colds or the flu can trigger an asthma attack. Keeping hands clean helps prevent the spread of cold and flu germs. If safe water is not available, you can use a hand sanitizer with a 60% alcohol content to clean your hands.
  • Avoid homes or buildings with mold damage. People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. Try not to enter any building that has mold growth you can see or smell, or that had leaks that let water get inside. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work, whether or not they have asthma.
  • Be careful around generators. When a power outage occurs after a storm, some people may use generators as a backup power source. These generators provide power to appliances, lights, and other vital items in the home, including “breathing treatments” for asthma (also known as nebulizer machines). Using generators improperly can cause poisonous carbon monoxide or “CO,” which you cannot see or smell, to build up in a home, garage, or camper. Keep generators and other gasoline-powered engines at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent and use a battery-powered or battery backup carbon monoxide detector in your home.
  • Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke is unhealthy for everyone, especially people with asthma. If you have asthma and you smoke, think about quitting. “Secondhand smoke” is smoke created by a smoker and breathed in by a second person. Secondhand smoke can trigger an asthma attack. If you have asthma, people should never smoke near you, in your home, in your car, or wherever you may spend a lot of time.
  • Take your medicine exactly as your doctor or other medical professional tells you to do. Not everyone with asthma takes the same medicine. Some medicines can be inhaled or breathed in, and some can be taken as a pill. Asthma medicines come in two types—quick relief and long-term control. Quick-relief medicines control the symptoms of an asthma attack. If you need to use your quick-relief medicines more and more (for example, more than two times per week), you should visit your doctor or other medical professional to see if you need a different medicine.
  • Manage stress. Strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack. Take care of your mind and body, connect with others, and seek help when you need it.
  • Get a flu shot. Influenza, commonly called “the flu”, can trigger an asthma attack. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year.  
========================================
 
 

Asthma Care Before, During, and After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

Before a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

During and after a hurricane, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a hurricane could cut off your power and water supply. You also may not be able to drive because of damage to your car. Roads may be flooded or blocked.
That’s why it’s best to be prepared — stock up on everything you might need, including:
  • At least a 3-day supply of asthma medications
  • Copies of important documents such as insurance cards and immunization records (and asthma action plans, if available)
  • Equipment you may need to use when cleaning up after the storm, including N95 respirators, goggles, protective gloves, and waterproof boots.
Remember that certain items, like medications and paper documents, need to be kept in waterproof containers.
More information is available on preparing for a hurricane or other tropical storm.

Avoiding Common Asthma Triggers During and After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

Influenza, commonly called “the flu”, can trigger an asthma attack. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year. It is particularly important for people with asthma to be vaccinated against the flu every year because they are more likely to have serious health problems from getting the flu. This website has information on flu shots for people with asthma.



Illnesses such as colds or the flu can trigger an asthma attack. Keeping hands clean helps prevent the spread of these germs. This website includes information on handwashing during or after emergencies, when finding clean, safe running water can sometimes be difficult.

During and after a disaster it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. Strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack. This website has information on steps people can take to help themselves and others cope.

This website describes other common triggers of asthma attacks and how to avoid them.
If your home was flooded and you were not able to dry your home (including furniture and other items) within 24-48 hours, you should assume you have mold growth. Breathing in mold can trigger an asthma attack. If possible, people with asthma should stay away from moldy sites. This website includes information on how to recognize mold and how to safely clean up mold.



This website includes information for children about mold, a common asthma trigger. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.

Using Asthma Medications or Devices During and After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

Asthma can be controlled by taking asthma medication exactly as directed by a doctor or other medical professional. This website has information on how asthma medications help control asthma.
This website has videos and step-by-step instructions (in English and Spanish) on the correct way to use a common type of asthma inhaler (a metered dose inhaler).
When a power outage occurs after a storm, some people may use generators as a backup power source. These generators provide power to appliances, lights, and other vital items in the home, including “breathing treatments” for asthma (also known as nebulizer machines). Using generators improperly can cause poisonous gas (carbon monoxide) to build up in a home, garage, or camper. Never use a generator indoors or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup carbon monoxide detector. This website has information on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning after an emergency.
This website includes information on the use of medications that might be affected by flooding, unsafe water, or other disasters.

Getting Asthma Medications or Devices During and After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm

This website describes the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP), which can help people who don’t have health insurance continue to use certain prescription drugs, medical supplies, or medical equipment in a disaster area. People with health insurance are not eligible to receive assistance under EPAP.
This website has information on how people with Medicare drug plans can get prescription medications in a disaster or emergency.
 

SMG Huntington Events worker, Tom McCormick, 59, died after he fell about 5 feet off a stage and hit his head on the concrete floor while he was helping set up for the Kidz Bop concert at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in WV





HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- An events worker died after an accident last week at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, according to a statement from SMG Huntington.

He is identified as 59-year-old Tom McCormick.

McCormick's family says they were told he fell about 5 feet off a stage and hit his head on the concrete floor while he was helping set up for the Kidz Bop concert Thursday, Nov. 2. He died from the injury Saturday.

"He worked these shows all the time," McCormick's daughter, Melissa Booton, said. "This was nothing new. For him to fall off the stage is very odd. It wasn't a malfunction. It wasn't anybody's fault. It's just an accident."

The daughter says McCormick had been doing production work on local plays and performances more than 20 years. He also worked on two movies, including "We Are Marshall."

"Hug your family," Booton said. "Give them lots of love. You never know when you won't see them again. I didn't expect my dad to pass away working a show."

McCormick was a retired nurses assistant at the VA Medical Center. Booton says her father did production work on the side for fun.

"He loved working those shows," Booton said. "Going through some of his stuff, I realized he kept everything from almost every show he ever worked."

SMG Huntington released the following statement:

“This past Thursday night, a beloved and respected member of the International Association of Stage & Theatrical Employees (IATSE) and a long-term SMG employee, Tom McCormick, was involved in a tragic accident at the Arena. On Saturday night all of us at SMG were shocked and saddened to learn that Tom had passed away. Our hearts are broken, and words alone cannot express our sorrow at hearing this news. Speaking for the entire SMG-family, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Tom’s family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”



===================




HUNTINGTON, WV — A stage employee at Big Sandy Superstore Arena died Saturday after sustaining injuries in an accident last Thursday evening.



Tom McCormick was a member of the International Association of Stage & Theatrical Employees and a long-time SMG employee.


"Our hearts are broken, and words alone cannot express our sorrow at hearing this news," spokeswoman Veronica Hordubay said in a statement. "Speaking for the entire SMG family, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Tom’s family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”



Though the timeline of the accident was unclear, the arena hosted the Kidz Bop Kids for a concert on Nov. 2.

A natural gas leak contributed to Monday's deadly home explosion in Madison Township, Ohio that killed 54 year-old Shelly Williams and injured 59 year-old Stewart Bell





Natural gas leak blamed for Ohio home explosion


The Associated Press



November 09, 2017 2:11 AM
COLUMBUS, Ohio



Investigators say a natural gas leak contributed to the home explosion in Ohio that killed a 54-year-old woman, but the cause of the leak is still unknown.

In a statement Wednesday, Columbia Gas says they are confident their main lines and service lines did not contribute to the explosion.

Emergency responders received several calls from neighbors around 4 a.m. Monday after the explosion in southeastern Columbus.

Shelly Williams was pulled from the debris and her longtime boyfriend, 59-year-old Stewart Bell, was thrown from the home. Williams later died from her injuries. Their family dog survived.

Bell tells The Columbus Dispatch he smelled gas in the area last week, but he didn't call because there was no smell inside the house.


An investigation continues.



==============




MADISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A natural gas leak contributed to Monday's deadly home explosion in southeastern Franklin County.

Investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office and Columbia Gas have been on the scene since Monday.

Wednesday night, they were still there searching for answers.

State investigators said they have preliminarily determined that the explosion was related to a natural gas leak.

The origin of that leak - whether inside the home, or out - is still unknown.

Columbia Gas confirms there was a gas "incident" of some kind. They too are working to find the source.

In an updated statement released Wednesday afternoon, Columbia Gas said, "Our crews have conducted thorough inspections of our service lines and main lines and confirmed they are safe. Based on our inspections and observations to date, we remain confident that our main lines and service lines did not contribute to this incident."

It was 4 a.m. Monday that the two-story home on Everson Road East in Madison Township exploded, with two people and a dog inside.

The man who lived there, 59 year-old Stewart Bell, was thrown from the home.

His longtime girlfriend, 54 year-old Shelly Williams, was trapped in the debris.

Neighbors ran to the scene to help rescue her. She was rushed to the hospital, where she died later that day.

The family dog crawled out of the rubble about 45 minutes after the explosion.

Columbia Gas is stressing to the public that if you smell the odor of natural gas, leave the area immediately, call 911 and your gas company.

---

Updated statement from Columbia Gas:

Our thoughts are with the family and community dealing with the loss and impact of the tragic incident in Madison Township.

In cooperation with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Madison Township Fire Department, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Columbia Gas of Ohio has participated in the investigation of the incident at 3335 Everson Road East.

Our crews have conducted thorough inspections of our service lines and main lines and confirmed they are safe. Based on our inspections and observations to date, we remain confident that our main lines and service lines did not contribute to this incident.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office will continue its investigation to determine the actual cause of the incident. We will continue to support their investigation.



=========================





It’s unclear what caused an explosion that leveled a house in southeastern Franklin County early Monday, killing a woman and injuring a man.

Neighbors reported a house explosion to emergency crews at 3:59 a.m. in the 3300 block of Everson Road East, a Madison Township Police dispatcher said.

“It was just unreal walking out and my neighbor’s house is just gone,” said Mikayla Grubb, 18, who lived next door to the couple and whose family rushed to their aid.

The man and woman who lived at the house were transported to Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. Shelly Williams, 54, died at the hospital from injuries she suffered when she fell from a second story bedroom to the first floor. The roof collapsed on top of her. Neighbors pulled her out of the rubble.

Stewart Bell, 59, remained hospitalized Monday evening. His condition was not available. He was ejected from the first story of the home during the explosion and landed in the driveway area, said Battalion Chief Chris Pallos.



“They’re very nice. The lady, she mowed our front lawn before, when we were at work. Our lawnmower was broken,” Grubb said. “Stew waves at you every time he sees you.”

The couple had two dogs. Grubb’s family found one of the two dogs, a Husky-type breed, and took the dog to a veterinarian. There was no word on what happened to the smaller dog.

Debris was strewn all over the yard, shards of glass littered the driveway and flames and smoke were seen on the property in a neighborhood east of Noe Bixby Road and south of Chatterton Road. Neighbors reported that items fell off the walls and shelves inside their homes.
==============================

November 7, 2017





One nearby home had melted vinyl siding and the explosion launched a 2x4 piece of wood through an exterior wall, knocking over a cabinet inside, Pallos said.

The fire was mainly out by about 6 a.m., with a second relief crew showing up at 7 a.m. to put out hot spots that were still smouldering, Pallos said.

Kelly Stincer, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal, said the cause was not determined Monday evening.

Kelli Gaza Nowinsky, a Columbia Gas of Ohio spokeswoman, said when the company’s crews arrived, they turned off the gas line at the curb to residence as well as to neighboring homes.

She said the company received a complaint of odor of gas in the same neighborhood in July 2014. A re-inspection was completed in January 2015, however the company responded to odor calls five other dates within six months of the initial complaint, according to records from the Public Utilities commission.

“The caller states the odor is very strong some days and feels the company is not taking the issue seriously enough,” according to a report dated Feb. 2015.



The leak was classified as level 2, or non-hazardous. State law allows the company 15 months to schedule repairs, with monitoring every six months. It’s unclear if the leak was repaired.

Inspectors with Columbia Gas routinely walk neighborhoods to complete leak surveys. The last conducted there was in April 2016. Nothing was detected at the time, Gaza Nowinsky said.

“This is the most important thing. If people think they smell natural gas, they have to call 911 and Columbia Gas,” she said referring to a rotten egg smell that often accompanies leaks.

Court-ordered mediation was to begin this week concerning the March 21, 2015, gas-line explosion in Upper Arlington that destroyed or damaged more than two dozen homes.

More than 30 plaintiffs are involved in 10 lawsuits against Columbia Gas, the cities of Columbus and Upper Arlington, a paving company and consultant.

The couple was not home at the time and no one was seriously injured in the blast.

An investigation found that a Columbus water division worker opened an old gas line to the house that was incorrectly marked as a water valve. When the error became apparent the worker did not fully close the valve, and gas leached through the foundation.


The Public Utilities commission fined Columbia $200,000 after the compnay promised to accelerate a plan to precisely locate old and new lines and valves, check its records for any obvious location errors and open a training center to help emergency responders deal with gas-line hazards.

Dispatch Reporter Earl Rinehart contributed to this story.


===================

A natural gas leak caused an overnight house explosion near Hikes Point, Kentucky


LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Metro Arson investigators said a natural gas leak caused an overnight house explosion near Hikes Point.

Emergency crews were called just after midnight to Houston Boulevard, off Taylorsville Road.

“I heard a voice yelling to get away from the house because it’s full of gas and it’s going to blow,” neighbor Jim Fleischer said.

The walls of the home are gone and there is a hole in the roof.

Neighbors said the explosion shook the ground.

“I guess (it’s) like when they drop a bomb in the Middle East,” Fleischer said. “It explodes. It doesn’t implode. (Debris) came out, (it was) projected forward.”

Investigators said a man in his mid-50s was taken to University Hospital.

They said his condition is unknown.

Arson investigators said they interviewed several witnesses and hope to talk with the injured man as part of the investigation.

The driver of a semi-truck was apparently at fault as he was backing into a driveway when one of its tires hit the driverless shuttle bus, causing no significant damage or injuries in Las Vegas. The driver was cited for illegal backing.




The driver of a semi-truck was apparently at fault in an accident Wednesday afternoon involving a driverless shuttle bus operating in Las Vegas, police say.

The autonomous vehicle had been put into operation in the Freemont East area of the city less than two hours before the incident, which was widely reported due to the high profile of the event.
 

The truck was backing into a driveway when one of its tires hit the shuttle, causing no significant damage or injuries. The driver was cited for illegal backing. 


The shuttle was designed by Navya, a French company specializing in autonomous vehicles (AP)

"The shuttle did what it was supposed to do, in that it's (sic) sensors registered the truck and the shuttle stopped to avoid the accident," the city said in a statement. "Unfortunately the delivery truck did not stop and grazed the front fender of the shuttle. Had the truck had the same sensing equipment that the shuttle has the accident would have been avoided."

The oval-shaped shuttle that can transport up to 12 people has an attendant and computer monitor, but no steering wheel and no brake pedals. It uses GPS, electronic curb sensors and other technology to make its way. It was developed by the French company Navya and was tested in January in Las Vegas.

At the unveiling ceremony, officials promoted it as the nation's first self-driving shuttle pilot project geared toward the public.

Before it crashed, dozens of people had lined up to get a free trip on a 0.6-mile loop in downtown Las Vegas. City spokesman Jace Radke said the shuttle took two more loops after the crash.

NASCAR driver Danica Patrick and magic duo Penn and Teller were among the first passengers.

The transportation company Keolis is operating the shuttle. Its vice president of mobility solutions, Maurice Bell, said the bus will scoot through Las Vegas at no more than 15 mph. AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah, which is sponsoring the one-year pilot project, expects that 250,000 people will use the shuttle.

Las Vegas resident Stacey Gray and her dog Socrates were among the first to board the bus Wednesday. She said the drive was so smooth that she couldn't even tell she was in a car, but approaching the intersection made her a little nervous.

"A little bit of that looking around and you know wondering if it was going to stop, and 'Oh my gosh, there's a car behind us, kind of little hesitation,'" she said. "But it stopped and it was fine."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Megan Keller, Safety Administrative Supervisor of the Wooster Police Department, died along with her husband Cody Keller, of carbon monoxide poisoning at their 2551 Touby Road residence








Deaths of Richland County couple suspected to be carbon monoxide poisoning



Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal and WKYC Staff , WKYC 


November 8, 2017



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, OHIO - 


Two people found dead Wednesday morning at their 2551 Touby Road residence, the apparent victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, have been identified.

The victims were identified as Cody Keller, 29, and Megan Keller, 34, according to the Richland County Coroner's Office.

Bob Ball, an investigator for the coroner's office, said the husband and wife did not report to work Wednesday and the Richland County Sheriff's Office and Washington Township squad were called to the residence for a well-being check. Megan was the Safety Administrative Supervisor with the Wooster Police Department.

Officials found the two individuals deceased.

"There's still very, very strong readings in the house," Ball said. "It's very sad."

Family members stood on the front lawn hugging each other as the coroner, deputies and firefighters conducted their investigations.

The Wooster Police Department issued the following statement Wednesday afternoon:


"It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our friend Megan Keller. Megan was the Safety Administrative Supervisor of the Wooster Police Department since 2012. She was hired in 2006 as a Clerical Specialist before being promoted to the Supervisory position. Megan was the evidence custodian of the Wooster Police Department and an integral part of the daily operations of the agency. She was a hard worker and always made sure things were done right. Her smile, laugh and thoughtfulness will be greatly missed by those who knew her best."

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in a person's bloodstream. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, the body replaces the oxygen in red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This can lead to serious tissue damage, or even death, according to Mayoclinic.com

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gas, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel. Improperly ventilated appliances and engines, particularly in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, may allow carbon monoxide to accumulate to dangerous levels.

Their bodies will be sent for autopsies to the Montgomery County Medical Examiner's Office, Ball said.





2551 Touby Rd, Mansfield, OH 44903 is a single family home built in 1970.

According to the Mansfield public records, the property at 2551 Touby Rd, Mansfield, OH 44903 has approximately 1,553 square feet, 2 beds and 1 bath with a lot size of 3.63 acres=====================



MANSFIELD, Ohio- The Richland County Sheriff's Office is investigating the deaths of a husband and wife in their Mansfield home. Carbon monoxide poisoning is believed to be to blame.

According to a report from the sheriff's office, a deputy was dispatched to the home on Touby Road Wednesday morning to check on two people.

The caller, along with a detective from the Wooster Police Department, were concerned because neither the man nor the woman showed up for work. The deputy was told there was a new coal burner installed and they were worried about that malfunctioning and causing high levels of carbon monoxide.

The Richland County Sheriff's Office said Megan Keller, 34, and Cody Keller, 29, were both found deceased in the home. A dog was also found dead.

Megan worked for the city of Wooster as a supervisor. The Wooster Police Department posted a photo of Megan on their Facebook page, and said:


"The Wooster Police Department has suffered a great loss today. Our Administrative Supervisor Megan Keller passed unexpectedly. Please keep her family & friends in your prayers. Megan unofficially ran this department and her loss will run deep both personally as well as professionally."

According to the report, there was a "rotten egg odor." The fire department was called due to the potential for carbon monoxide. When authorities went inside the home, the carbon monoxide detector started to alarm that levels were too high. According to the Washington Fire Department, the levels were 4000.

An overloaded power strip caused a fire that killed Tyson Kegarise, 41, and Debra Kegarise, 62 in Hagerstown, MD; the smoke alarms were nonfunctioning





Maryland State Fire Marshal Carl Witmer looks at photos on the back of his camera while investigating the cause of a fatal fire that killed two people in Hagerstown, Md., Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017.








An overloaded power strip caused a fire that killed a mother and her son last month on Snyder Avenue in Hagerstown.


City Fire Marshal Doug DeHaven wrote in an email that the power strip overheated and ignited combustibles in the first-floor living room.


After firefighters put out the blaze, they found the bodies of Tyson Kegarise, 41, and Debra Kegarise, 62, on the second floor of the duplex at 20 Snyder Ave.


"The cause of death was listed on their documents as smoke inhalation and thermal burns for both victims," DeHaven said.


Complete autopsy results are normally unavailable for four to six weeks until the toxicology tests are done, he said.


Two nonfunctioning, 9-volt battery smoke alarms were found in the debris, according to DeHaven.


“This was a preventable fire and a tragedy that should never have happened,” he said. “Working smoke alarms are the first line of defense to provide you time to get out in the event of a fire. Had they had working smoke alarms, the result may have been totally different.”


The fire, which was reported at 3:31 a.m. on Oct. 24, also took the lives of two dogs and caused extensive damage to both sides of the duplex.


Hagerstown fire marshals were supported at the scene by the Hagerstown Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division and the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.


DeHaven said the Hagerstown Fire Department returned to the neighborhood on the day of the fire to ensure all of the homes had working smoke alarms.


"The canvass resulted in several smoke alarms being repaired or new ones installed," he said.


DeHaven said most fire departments will install smoke alarms at no charge.


Hagerstown residents who need assistance checking their smoke alarms may call the fire department at 301-790-2476.


Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside the sleeping area and in each bedroom, DeHaven said.


Homes that use fossil fuels, such as fuel oil or natural gas, also should have carbon monoxide alarms.


====================

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Officials say two people have died in a house fire in western Maryland.

Firefighters responded to a duplex on Snyder Avenue in Hagerstown around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Officials say two adults were found dead on the second floor of the structure after firefighters were able to knock down the flames.

The names of the victims were being withheld pending notification of family members.   The owners of the 18-20 Snyder Avenue dublex are listed and Debra M. Kegarise and her son, Frederick Kegarise.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the fire.




==============



HAGERSTOWN, Md. (ABC7) — A mother, son, and two dogs died in a fire at a duplex early Tuesday morning in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Hagerstown Fire Department officials have not identified the victims at this time.

The mother and son were trapped inside the home and a witness told ABC7 News neighbors heard the victims call for help.


Approximately 42 firefighters and 20 pieces of equipment were needed to combat the two-alarm fire.


The blaze took place on Snyder Avenue, and fire officials say an investigation into the incident is underway.

The home prior to the deadly fire
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Two adults and two dogs were found dead Tuesday after an early-morning fire in a duplex off Virginia Avenue in Hagerstown’s South End.


The fire destroyed the duplex at 18-20 Snyder Ave., Hagerstown Fire Chief Steve Lohr said.


No one was living at 18 Snyder Ave.


Jeremy Benna, who lives at 14 Snyder Ave., said that screaming and shattering glass woke him at about 3:30 a.m. He said he ran from his second-floor apartment outside and discovered the duplex next door at 20 Snyder Ave. was on fire.


Benna said he ran back inside his apartment, got dressed, banged on the door of his first-floor neighbors alerting them to the fire, and then called 911.


When he first ran outside, only the porch of the duplex was on fire, Benna said.


But that quickly changed.


“I beat it outside,” he said. “I tried to do something, but I just couldn’t.”


The Hagerstown Fire Department, along with units from surrounding jurisdictions, were dispatched to the fire, according to a news release.


They arrived to heavy fire coming from the first and second floors of 20 Snyder Ave., and extending into 18 Snyder Ave. Snyder Avenue is between Wilson Boulevard and Noland Drive.


The bodies of two adults were found on the second floor and one was immediately removed, Lohr said.


Both bodies will be taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore, the release said.


Hagerstown Fire Marshal Doug DeHaven said Tuesday afternoon that he could not release names of the victims, adding that assistance from the Medical Examiner’s Office is needed to confirm the identities.


DeHaven said he might have more information about the victims Wednesday morning.


DeHaven said it was too early to say what started the fire. He said fire officials cleared the scene about 4:35 p.m. Tuesday, and there are more interviews to be conducted as well as other followup investigation.


“It will be open for a while,” DeHaven said.


Firefighters had the fire knocked down within 20 minutes.


Ryan Llewellyn, the owner of the duplex at 14-16 Snyder Ave., said he and his girlfriend, Shelby Diehl, live on the first floor of 14 Snyder Ave. They were sleeping when Benna banged on their door.


Llewellyn immediately feared the fire would spread to his residence.


“I said, ‘We gotta get outside,’” Llewellyn said.


On Tuesday evening, a stream of vehicles slowly passed the house as onlookers took in the scene.


A few people stood outside talking about the people who lived in the house.


One man, who said he worked with a man who lived in the house, declined to comment.