Homes Evacuated After High Carbon Monoxide Levels Detected

Three homes on Anita and Shoreland avenues in Whitefish Bay were evacuated late Wednesday night after the high levels of carbon monoxide — a deadly gas — were detected.

Crews from the North Shore Fire Department and We Energies immediately responded to the scene and ventilated all the homes. No injuries and reports of carbon monoxide illness were reported, and the residents were allowed to return to their homes.

According to the North Shore Fire Department:

The incident began shortly after 11 p.m., when the department was called home in the 4800 block of Anita Avenue after the carbon monoxide detector alarm sounded. Once they arrived, emergency personnel determined that there was elevated levels of carbon monoxide throughout the entire home. The residence was evacuated as crews worked to investigate and isolate the cause. 

About 20 minutes later, the department received another call from about the activation of a carbon monoxide detector a home in the 4800 block of Shoreland Avenue, which is adjacent to the Anita Avenue home.  Elevated levels of carbon monoxide were also found in that home and an adjacent house. Both of those home also were evacuated.

NSFD personnel and We Energies crews worked to isolate any potential causes of the carbon monoxide and ventilated the homes. Subsequent readings at all locations returned no levels of carbon monoxide. The homes were determined to be safe, and the residents were allowed to return.

The source of the high carbon monoxide levels is still unknown, said NSFD Fire Chief Robert Whitaker.

NSFD officials say the incident serves as a good reminder of the importance of having working carbon monoxide detectors in all homes.