Baldwinsville volunteers were dispatched this evening for the reported natural gas odor inside the structure on MacArthur Road. Car 1 (Chief Rutherford) arrived to find a natural gas odor evident in the garage with the owner feeling ill. Ladder 3 (Lt. Belczak) arrived and stretched a handline to the A/B corner while the crew of Engine 7 (FF Cantello) attempted to locate the natural gas shutoff for the location and assisted the crew of ladder 3 with investigating the source of the leak. While investigating, Command received reports that the snow from the roof of the home was cleared earlier today. Receiving that information, the exterior crew with the assistance of Squad 2 (Lt. O'Kelly) attempted to locate the exhaust vents for the furnace but could not find them as they were located under 6 plus feet of hard snow cap (from the early roof clearing operation). Ventilation was established to remove the odor of natural gas as utilities were secured at the interior appliances. Once crews could rule out various situations, all members on scene began digging the snow mounds to locate the vents and natural gas shutoffs. Crews spent at least 45 minutes digging through the piles on both sides of the residence to ensure proper clearances so the homeowner could return that evening with heat. We would also like to thank GBAC, Baldwinsville Police, and National Grid for their assistance.
We would like to remind everyone that if you have or plan on clearing the snow from your roof, you'll need to shovel around your furnace vents, laundry vents, natural gas shutoff locations, doors, windows, as well as any other critical feature. This is very important as we continue to have sub zero temperatures with added snowfall.
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