Feb 22, 2005 By Steve Ferris 2 min read

Authorities ruled Monday that the death of a Dawson man and the fire in his home that claimed his life were accidents. Fayette County Coroner Dr. Phillip E. Reilly said 50-year-old Terrence J. Farrell died of carbon monoxide poisoning in the Sunday fire.

“He died of carbon monoxide poisoning due to the inhalation of smoke and fumes,” Reilly said.

Farrell suffered non-fatal second- and third-degree burns, most likely after the carbon monoxide rendered him unconscious, Reilly said. There were no other signs of trauma, he said.

State police said the fire, which started in a trashcan in the kitchen, was an accident.

The fire was reported at 2:30 p.m. at Farrell’s home along Dawson-Scottdale Road in Lower Tyrone Township.

He shared the house with his brother.

Reilly said the bedroom where Farrell was found is directly above the kitchen, and he speculated that the bedroom could have filled quickly with smoke.

Four or five deep breaths in a carbon monoxide-rich environment, Reilly said, is enough to be fatal.

He said the carbon monoxide level in Farrell’s blood was 52.3 percent, and anything over 40 percent is lethal in most cases.

A report from emergency personnel who responded to the fire said Farrell had no heartbeat and was not breathing when they reached him, Reilly said.