Berkeley teen killed by fumes
Justino Aguila
OF THE EXAMINER STAFF
Nov. 26, 1999
©2000 San Francisco Examiner

URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1999/11/26/NEWS14478.dtl


A defective gas heater was being blamed for the carbon monoxide poisoning death of a teenage girl in a Berkeley apartment.

Dozens of people were evacuated from the three-story complex on Bancroft Way on Wednesday after 17-year-old Venireddy Seetha was found unconscious along with her 20-year-old sister by a third roommate shortly after noon.

Seetha, who had moved from India recently to live with her sister, was pronounced dead at Alta Bates Medical Center. Her sister, whose identity was not disclosed, was treated at the hospital and released.

The exact cause of the problem with the heater still had not been determined Thursday, but officials said recent work on the roof of the complex might have led to blockage of the vents.

Police and PG&E officials said the levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless and highly poisonous gas, found in the apartment at 2200 Bancroft Way were more than 20 times the standard amount. The level was so high, a measuring device could not pinpoint the exact amount, said Jonathan Franks, a spokesman for PG&E.

"It's a very sad situation," Franks said, who added that 27 units in the 105-unit complex were closed off by Berkeley city inspectors, sending residents to look for temporary shelter.

"People's lives were potentially in jeopardy," Franks said.

The number of those displaced could not be verified, but a police official said most residents found shelter through family, friends or motels.

A police investigation was not being pursued, according to police.

According to reports, the building - which holds several penthouses, a swimming pool and 24-hour security - is owned by Reddy Realty.

A company employee said the firm, which bought the apartment building about four months ago, hadn't received any complaints about heaters.

"We are problem solvers," said Rema Reddy. "We are not looking for problems, but if someone complained about something, we would look into it."

Reports indicate some of the units in the complex have carbon monoxide detectors installed. Reddy said he hoped that eventually all units will be equipped with the alarm device, but wasn't sure when that would happen.

"I feel so sick about what happened to the girls," Rema said. "They moved in two months ago. They were beautiful girls."

of broken heater


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