Medina city building inspectors continued to address carbon monoxide concerns after high CO levels were found inside furnaces at Medina Village Apartments, the same complex where a fatal explosion took the lives of a mother and her teenaged son.
Medina Chief Building Official Dan Gladish told News 5 contractors, repairing gas leaks at the complex, found the issues inside furnaces at a half dozen apartments, and now those furnaces must be replaced as a precaution.
"If all of a sudden, you get a cracked heat exchanger or you get a flue, a bird goes up and blocks the flue or the venting on the roof, then the CO has no other place to go but to then breach into the apartment itself," Gladish said.
On Tuesday, crews had a list of 32 new furnaces and water heaters to check. No new problems were discovered in the apartments they were able to enter.
The CO issues were found at the same complex where inspectors said a leak from an uncapped and unused dryer gas valve caused an explosion that claimed the life of 18-year-old Jacob Drake and his mother, Sheila, on Feb. 9.
Dawn Muddimer lived in the apartment building next to the one that blew up. Smoke and water came into her apartment and damaged many of her belongings.
"I am emotionally very raw at this point," Muddimer said.
After she was moved to another apartment, a high level of CO was found in her furnace. It was removed and she lived without heat for one day until a new furnace was installed.
"What's happening now is necessary. It's immediate. People's lives are in danger," she said.
Muddimer said she wants to leave the complex, but doesn't think she can afford a move at this point.
"You don't prepare yourself for the economic outlay of going someplace else, first month's rent and security deposit."
RELATED: 60 gas leaks found after a deadly explosion at Medina apartment complex
Some residents and contractorsat the complex report furnaces that need replacement have been shut down, leaving some residents without heat since Feb. 3.
John Sims told News 5 he asked apartment management for a space heater and asked when the heat will be restored but said he wasn't given any answers.
Gladish said he'll be following up with building management about the CO issues within furnaces.
"There could be a number of people that might want to stay in a hotel or motel, said Gladish.
"Maintenance is trying to provide them electric heaters, but again I think there's a lack of communication."
Meanwhile, Gladish said his team found another gas leak at the complex on March 6 and will continue inspections on dozens of new gas fixtures installed at the complex over the past few weeks.
Gladish said his team found dozens of gas leaks at the complex in the days after the explosion.
News 5 again contacted the attorney for Medina Village Apartments on Tuesday about the CO issues found by inspectors inside furnaces, but so far our calls have not been returned.
