Gas appliance may be linked to Santa Rosa apartment complex deaths, officials say

A “natural gas-fueled appliance” may have played a role in the deaths of two people found Tuesday inside a Santa Rosa apartment, investigators said.

The findings are part of a preliminary investigation into the matter and official causes of death have not been identified, according to a news release issued Thursday by the Santa Rosa Fire Department.

Carbon monoxide poisoning was identified as a possible factor in the immediate aftermath of the deaths at Vintage Ridge Apartments on Range Avenue, north of Coddingtown Shopping Center.

A property maintenance employee found the two people at about 9:35 a.m. and called Santa Rosa police.

The couple has not been identified and fire officials only described them Thursday as “elderly adults” who were found in a first-floor apartment.

Firefighters entered the apartment in safety equipment and used “specialized air- monitoring equipment” that identified high levels of carbon monoxide, according to the fire department.

Authorities found a dog inside a bedroom, according to the news release. It was awake and alert and it was turned over to Sonoma County Animal Control.

Officials checked 11 units in the apartment complex and evacuated five people who were home at the time.

All other units were clear of carbon monoxide and none of the residents showed signs of illness, according to the fire department.

A Pacific Gas & Electric Co. spokesperson told The Press Democrat on Tuesday that the situation was not related to any company facilities.

The Vintage Ridge apartment complex did not respond Wednesday to a request for comment.

In California, property owners are required to install a carbon monoxide detector wherever there are gas-powered heaters or appliances. A tenant is responsible for telling the owner or property manager if a device is malfunctioning, according to the California Health and Safety Code.

Staff Writer Madison Smalstig contributed reporting. You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @colin_atagi