2 Santa Rosa Residents Found Dead; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Suspected

SANTA ROSA, CA — Two elderly Santa Rosa residents were found dead in their apartment earlier this week and authorities suspect they died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Shortly after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, personnel with the Santa Rosa fire and police departments were dispatched to 2705 Range Ave. for a medical incident involving two elderly people who were reportedly down on the floor in an apartment and were possibly dead, the Santa Rosa Fire Department said Thursday in a news release.

The responding fire crew was met outside a first-floor apartment of a two-story, multi-unit apartment complex by a maintenance representative. The representative said he went into the apartment to do routine maintenance but when he found them on the floor, he called 911.

The fire crew went into the apartment and found the two people. While checking for signs of life, crew members determined the pair may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.

Fire crews went outside to put on self-contained breathing apparatus, then went back into the apartment with specialized air monitoring equipment. The monitor confirmed there were high levels of carbon monoxide in the unit, the fire department said.

After crew members went back inside and did a thorough search of the residence, they found a dog in a bedroom. The dog was still awake and alert. It was removed from the residence and was turned over to Sonoma County’s Animal Control.

Members of the Santa Rosa Police Department helped fire crews check the remaining 11 apartments in the building for residents and for the presence of carbon monoxide.

The Santa Rosa Building Division, AMR and PG&E also responded.

Fire officials said five residents from various apartments were located and evacuated from the building.

All other apartments were cleared of any carbon monoxide, and none of the additional residents had any medical complaints, the fire department said.

Fire crews helped the Santa Rosa Police Department with an investigation of the incident. Based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed the deaths were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning from a natural gas-fueled appliance.

The official cause of death was pending the completion of victim autopsies by the Sonoma County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation was ongoing late Thursday.