Wow. We could’ve died. Not cool.

I came home today to find my carbon monoxide detector alarming. I would’ve immediately assumed that it was the batteries and not a real problem, except for the fact that we changed the battery a few days ago when the thing went off unexpectedly.

I relocated one of the very old CO detectors into our bedroom where the alarm was going off and it didn’t go crazy, so I called the fire department to ask them what to do. They asked a bunch of questions and then sent a truck out to check on us. Apparently it is protocol to call the Pekin City Inspector to check it out.

He came in, turned up the furnace, and took the faceplate off of our furnace to find FIRE ESCAPING THE FIRE BOX. The CO meters jumped up above the safe limit, and they informed us we needed to have this looked at TONIGHT and not turn on the heat again until it was fixed, because chances were very good that the fire would melt the aluminum gas line and blow us the hell up.

I’m talking 20d6 damage fireball, people.

So now the house is getting cold and one of the fine people at TroubleFree Heating and Cooling are on the way over to see if they can fix it. Scary.

Also, this is yet another excellent example of when having an emergency fund is a good thing. Let’s hope its enough!