Disconnecting Alarm Proves Fatal for Roslyn Heights, N.Y., Family

Published: July 31, 2000

ROSLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y.—On May 8, Dr. Andrei Kranz returned to his home to discover a devastating scene. Six of his family members and friends had died in their sleep from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. It was an accident that could have been prevented had the alarm not been shut off.

According to Dr. Kranz, the sensitive detector frequently sounded, thus, he had disconnected the unit. During the weekend, the heating and cooling system in the home malfunctioned. The hot temperature outside prompted someone inside the household to turn on the air conditioner without shutting off the furnace.

As a result, the air conditioner drew in the flames from the furnace, cooled them and spread the fatal fumes throughout the residence.

Source: NBFAA False Alarm Network

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