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Covering the Goulburn and Murray valleys
MARCH 20, 2013 4:10am

Fan evidence given at Robinson inquest

The coronial inquest into the deaths of Chase and Tyler Robinson yesterday heard the home's exhaust fans were strong enough to pull deadly gas from the heater into the home.

By Riahn Smith

The coronial inquest into the deaths of Chase and Tyler Robinson yesterday heard the home’s exhaust fans were strong enough to pull deadly gas from the heater into the home.

Chase, 8, and Tyler, 6, died in May 2010 from carbon monoxide poisoning from a soot-filled gas heater in their Mooroopna home.

On the second day of proceedings, the Victorian Coroners Court heard extraction fans may have contributed to the high levels of the odourless, colourless gas in the home, which was ‘‘well sealed’’ and lacked ventilation.

Youngs and Co Real Estate director and property manager responsible for the Kalimna Dve house, Connie Young, also continued her evidence.

Ms Young described the boys’ mother, Vanessa Robinson, as a good tenant who ‘‘kept the house in very good order’’.

She said during the last routine inspection before the boys’ deaths she saw no evidence of the soot that allegedly contributed to the carbon monoxide poisoning.

She told the court if she had noticed the soot, or any similar discolouration of the heater she would have ‘‘made a mental note of it’’ and put it in a subsequent letter to the landlord.

The court heard evidence from Vipac Engineers and Scientists director Ian Jones, who explained in detail the carbon monoxide testing that took place at the house between June 2 and 11, 2010.

Mr Jones, an engineer, said several tests were done on the heater and extraction fans which found carbon monoxide was pulled from the heater into the house when two fans were operating.

The court also heard from Energy Safe Victoria gas installations and appliance safety executive manager Paul Bonsak.

Mr Bonsak said there were no inherent faults in the ‘‘open-flue’’ gas heater in the Robinson home, but acknowledged there was the potential for problems if the appliance was not installed or maintained correctly. He also spoke about the need to educate the public and tradespersons about gas appliance safety.

The inquest, before Coroner Jacinta Heffey, is expected to hear further evidence from Mr Bonsak today as well as from Energy Safe Victoria’s Enzo Alfonsetti and police informant Detective Senior Constable Gary Dean.

 

 

For more coverage about the Robinson inquest pick up today’s News.

Flowers outside the Robinsons' Mooroopna home on June 3, 2010.


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