Overheated Connection in Furnace Leads to Fire

Location: Chilliwack

Regulated industry sector: Gas - Natural gas system

Incident overview

In a residential home, a carbon monoxide alarm alerted the single occupant to find smoke, fumes and a fire within their 30-year-old furnace. Later investigation determined that a “push-on” electrical terminal connection became resistive and hot over time. The overheated connection burned off the plastic and approximately four inches of the wire insulation jacket, igniting the plastic air filter mounted above.