ANTELOPE VALLEY : Warning Issued on Unvented Heaters
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On the eve of another winter storm expected to bring freezing overnight temperatures, Los Angeles County fire officials Tuesday warned Antelope Valley residents against using unvented heaters following the suspected asphyxiation deaths of two people.
The bodies of Jesus R. Romero, 53, and Juanita Ortiz, 62, were discovered Dec. 31 in their makeshift one-room house in the remote Hi Vista area east of Lancaster.
Although autopsy results are pending, they apparently died of carbon monoxide poisoning from using an unvented propane room heater.
Many residents in the remote area lack electricity, natural gas and running water, forcing them to improvise.
But room heaters must be vented or “You’re really risking it,” said Battalion Chief Roy Creel of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
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