BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Battle Creek Police are warning people about home heating safety during the cold weather, after a couple was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in a vacant home Wednesday morning.
Police were called to the 2000 block of SW Capital Avenue by a man hired to remodel the home for the homeowner on reports of two unresponsive people. A 19-year-old Coldwater woman and 20-year-old Bronson man were found dead. Their 5-month-old boy was found alive and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police say the home was vacant, but the deceased man was helping remodel the home. No one was supposed to be staying at the house. Police say the couple had set up a temporary bed surrounded by a gas generator and kerosene forced air heater that appeared to have been on overnight.
Standard carbon monoxide detectors will go off at 35ppm. The department's sensors detected 700ppm on the first floor and 900ppm on the second floor. Anything over 400ppm is deadly.
A city building inspector looked over the house Wednesday and did not find any violations.
Battle Creek Police believe the death was an accident. Officers remind the community not to use kerosene or gas heaters as a primary heating source. Gas generators should not be used indoors.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story had the incorrect age for the Coldwater man. Police have seen release the correct age and it has been updated in this story.
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