Woman dies after squirrel plugs propane line

Last update: January 20, 2006 - 7:57 AM

BEMIDJI, Minn. A woman is dead and a man hospitalized after a squirrel became lodged in a pipe between the furnace and the chimney, causing propane fumes to enter a rural Bemidji home.

The Hubbard County sheriff said John Bennett and Maxine Tischman, 67, were found lying on the floor of the home. Tischman was pronounced dead at the scene. Bennett, who is in his 70s, was taken to North Country Hospital in Bemidji.

Sheriff Gary Mills said investigators found the squirrel lodged in the three-inch pipe after locating strong propane fumes in the area near the furnace.

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