Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Two People Found Dead in Extremely Hot House in Spartanburg, South Carolina

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – In a tragic incident, two individuals were discovered deceased on Saturday in a house that had reached an “extremely hot” temperature in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Concerned family members contacted the Spartanburg Police Department around 6 p.m. on Saturday, prompting officers to conduct a welfare check at the residence.

Upon entering the home, both police and EMS personnel made a devastating discovery. The victims were identified as 84-year-old Joan Littlejohn and 82-year-old Glennwood Fowler.

According to a police report, the temperature inside the house exceeded 120 degrees. Firefighters investigating the scene found the furnace in the basement to be “extremely” hot, with temperatures reaching upwards of 800 to 1,000 degrees, according to Assistant Chief Brad Hall of the Spartanburg Fire Department.

Although firefighters tested for carbon monoxide, no unusual levels were detected. However, Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger has taken samples from the victims’ bodies to determine if carbon monoxide poisoning played a role in their deaths.

The family of the victims informed the police that they had been attempting to fix the pilot light on their hot water heater. They had discovered that both the heater and hot water heater were not functioning, causing the temperature inside the residence to drop significantly. After successfully relighting the pilot light, they left the house.

Clevenger has hired a specialist to inspect the furnace in order to determine if there was a malfunction or any other issues that could have caused the extreme heat in the house. However, it may take several weeks to determine the exact cause of death for the victims.

Potential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a potential concern in cases like this, especially with the type of heater involved. Clevenger emphasized that the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning cannot be ruled out until further tests are conducted.

The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to uncover all the facts surrounding the deaths of Joan Littlejohn and Glennwood Fowler.

It is crucial for homeowners to ensure the proper functioning of their heating systems and to have carbon monoxide detectors installed in their homes to prevent any potential dangers.

As the Spartanburg community mourns the loss of these two individuals, it serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and safety precautions when dealing with heating systems.

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