Posted: 12/13/06
Investigation underway
Source of CO being sought in youths death
 Andrew Carlson |
By Patrick Tepoorten
In the case of the carbon monoxide death of Andrew Carlson, 17, North Branch, early Tuesday morning, an investigation has begun and is looking at the radiant heating system the Carlson family indicated was malfunctioning leading up to the tragedy, as well as other possible sources.
But the cause of Carlson's death was not the focus on Monday, when friends and family gathered to celebrate and bid a final farewell to the Chisago Lakes High School senior. "There was a wonderful outpouring from kids that came to the funeral," said Carlson's aunt Kim Johnson, who described him as a "goofball" with a big smile. "He was quite a character," she added.
Behind the scenes, wheels have been in motion to determine the cause of Carlson's death since mid-week last week, but the public may not know those details for some time.
A state inspection was conducted Thursday at the request of North Branch city officials. According to James Honerman, a communications officer with the state of Minnesota, that report has now been delivered to the city of North Branch. As to what the report might contain though, the city won't say.
On advice of city attorney Tom Miller, interim city administer Bridgitte Konrad informed the Post Review on Monday that the report was considered protected data because of the possibility of pending future civil litigation. When asked if she could state the report's findings as to the cause of the CO in the Carlson house, she responded, "no comment."
Likewise, Andrew's family is not discussing the details surrounding Andrew's death on advice of legal counsel.
There are, however, things that are known.
A coroner's report confirmed that Andrew Carlson died of carbon monoxide poisoning and ruled the death accidental.
According to Clifford Taite, a regional manager with NY Thermal, the manufacturer of the Carlson's radiant heating system, no CO monitor had been installed in the furnace room of the house. That was confirmed on Friday by North Branch Interim Police Chief Steve Forner.
That is contrary to specific instructions mandating the installation of such a detector in the furnace room, as per NY Thermal's specifications. Page three of the installation manual states, "A carbon monoxide detector must be installed in the room that houses the boiler."
According to a local building inspector, Jack Kramer, mandates from manufacturers regarding proper installation become a part of the building code. That means that despite the fact that the state of Minnesota did not yet require the installation of such monitors, it would have been required as part of the building code because it was required by the manufacturer.
Kramer was not familiar with the manufacturer and radiant heat systems, which cycle hot water through pipes in flooring, are not common in this area. Based on that, Kramer was asked whether, in the case of an unfamiliar system and an unknown manufacturer, he would refer to the installation manual for such mandates.
"Absolutely," he said. "Especially with something unusual."
With no CO monitor installed in the furnace room, the install and the inspection come into question, if indeed the furnace was the source of the CO. Why? Because installers are required to install appliances according to manufacturer's specifications, and an inspector is not supposed to approve an installation unless it meets those requirements.
A certificate of occupancy for the residence was granted by the city last week.
Forner stated that there was a gas water heater in the basement, which could have also have been a source of CO in the house. He did not recall seeing a gas clothes dryer or a gas or wood burning fireplace. He also added that the house was warm when he arrived, which indicates that the radiant heating system was functioning at that time.
Because he had spent time in the Carlson house early Tuesday morning, North Branch Sgt. Rick Sapp took a blood test to check levels of CO in his system, and that test came back positive for levels Forner referred to as "the low side of high." Forner also stated that both he and Sapp had headaches for over 24 hours as a result of the very short time they spent in the house.
Forner also reported that the other four occupants of the house, Mitchell Dale Carlson, 47, Penny Jean Pliscott, 43, Phillip James Bartholomew, 10, and James Allan Bartholomew, 12, have been released from the hospital.
Family and friends have created two separate funds in memory of Andrew Carlson. Anyone who wishes to contribute can access the fund of their choice.
The Andrew Carlson Memorial Fund
First National Bank
38860 10th Ave.
North Branch Mn., 55056
(651) 674-5000
The Andrew Carlson Memorial Fund
The RiverBank
304 Cascade Street
P.O. Box 188
Osceola, Wisc., 54020
(715) 294-2183
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