Greenfield Fire Department finds 2 deceased from carbon monoxide poisoning

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Greenfield Fire Department responded to a report of a natural gas leak on Wednesday, Jan. 17. It happened near Plainfield and 72nd, around 3:40 p.m. 

Units arrived on the scene to find elevated levels of carbon monoxide and no natural gas leak. Crews located two deceased adult victims in the home. All potential sources of the carbon monoxide were eliminated, and all remaining carbon monoxide was ventilated from the home. 

According to the fire department, there were no working carbon monoxide detectors in the home.

On Thursday, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner identified the two people as 61-year-old Ryan Borth and 34-year-old Nicholas Borth. The two were father and son. 

"Very shocking. It's very emotional for a family to lose members, especially that way. We're all in shock and trying to comprehend what transpired," neighbor Mark Bloom said. "I am still trying to comprehend that. It's very...you can't imagine what it's like to talk to somebody and then find out that they've expired and that you won't see them anymore. It's just shocking."

The furnace in the home appeared to be leaking carbon monoxide, a deadly gas with no odor or color. An initial carbon monoxide reading in the house was 350 parts per million, and the reading in the basement, where the furnace was located, was 900 parts per million. 

Just this week, the Milwaukee Fire Department spoke to CBS 58 about the dangers of carbon monoxide during the coldest days. 

"Some people are using their stoves to heat their homes. The gas stoves. That is not recommended at all," said David Seager, Deputy Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department. 

"That carbon monoxide seeps into every crevice of every building, anywhere. It is an odorless, tasteless, you don't even know it's there," said Seager. 

Homeowners are encouraged to change the batteries of their carbon monoxide and fire detectors every six months.