ASPHYXIATION CLAIMS TWO; BODIES ARE FOUND IN SHED AT SCOTT CITY

SCOTT CITY -- Two men found dead in a work shed behind a Scott City home died from accidental asphyxiation, the Scott County coroner ruled Friday.

The Scott City Police Department said a natural-gas heater found in the shed led to the deaths. Police said the heater, which was hooked up to a propane tank, apparently emitted a high level of carbon monoxide.

Scott County Coroner Scott Amick said the men were overcome by fumes, leading to asphyxiation by carbon monoxide poisoning.

The victims, Darrell L. Schenimann, 39, and Douglas P. Miller, 36, of Scott City Route 1 were taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau after emergency personnel responded to a 911 call at the Schenimann residence at 346 Wheeler Drive at around 9:31 p.m. Thursday. The two were pronounced dead at the hospital.

Tests revealed 78 percent carbon monoxide in Schenimann's system and 35 percent carbon monoxide in Miller's system, officials said. Between 10 and 15 percent of carbon monoxide is the maximum level the human body can withstand.

Amick said the shed in which the two men were working was improperly ventilated, causing the buildup of the deadly gas.

Scott City Fire Chief Les Crump said there "are not a really large percentage of carbon monoxide deaths in this area."

However, Crump said the potential for problems exists if people fail to take preventative measures when using fuel-burning appliances.

"Anytime when you have a combustion process it produces carbon monoxide as a waste material," Crump said. "When you have improper ventilation, lack of maintenance or improper installation, it all contributes to a problem."

People should follow manufacturers' guidelines when installing heating appliances and remember to conduct regular maintenance checks to identify potential problems, Crump said.

Frequent checks should be made to ensure that seals are in good condition, vents are unobstructed and working properly, and heat exchangers are undamaged. Such preventative maintenance should be conducted not just on space heaters but on all appliances such as gas stoves and water heaters that burn fuel, thereby producing carbon monoxide.

"Appliances must be properly maintained, installed and checked every year by a person trained to make sure they are burning as they are designed to burn," Crump said. "A furnace that is working well this year may not next year."

The gas can be dangerous because it is undetectable by the senses.

"With carbon monoxide you can't see it, you can't smell it and you can't taste it, "Crump said.

Carbon monoxide detectors can be installed with little cost or effort. The devices, which are similar to smoke detectors, can be purchased starting at around $20.