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City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Martin, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Furnace fire leads to high levels of carbon monoxide in home
Edina, Minn., Feb. 20, 2014 – The Edina Fire Department was called to the 5500 block of Malibu Drive at
11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10, after receiving a report of a furnace fire.
Fire crews discovered a working fire upon arrival, which was quickly extinguished. However, due to the
buildup of smoke and carbon monoxide (CO), the home had to be aired out. No injuries were reported.
Edina Fire Marshal Jeff Siems said the mother, who was home alone with her three children, did the right thing
by getting everyone out of the home and calling 9-1-1 as soon as she smelled smoke. When fire crews arrived,
carbon monoxide levels were measured at 400 parts per million (ppm) -- a lethal amount. CO alarms start
alerting occupants at 35 ppm.
“This goes to show the importance of working carbon monoxide alarms,” said Siems. “If this had happened in
the middle of the night, there could have been casualties.”
The family had CO alarms plugged in. However, they had expired. According to manufacturer’s warranties,
CO alarms should be replaced by the detector’s expiration date. If there’s no expiration date, CO alarm
manufacturers note than the active live span of the devices range from five to seven years.
According to a state law passed in 2006, all homes must have a CO alarm within 10 feet of each bedroom.
For more information about CO, visit www.EdinaMN.gov/Fire or contact the Edina Fire Department at 952-
826-0330.
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