A substantial propane tank next to the country club driving range serves 22 homes on Retreats Trail Court. 

RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Marcel Horowitz learned a frightening lesson on Dec. 8 while visiting her mother on Retreats Trail Court in Rancho Murieta around 2 p.m. She had no idea that homes with propane appliances, like furnaces or stoves, require separate propane sensors, as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors wouldn't detect the gas.

Minutes after arriving, she began feeling dizzy, and her mother, sitting in the dining room, was nearly unconscious. Both had lost their sense of smell and didn't detect the rotten egg odor added to propane. "I feel very lucky we identified what was happening to us and were able to get out of the house before going unconscious,” she said.

Horowitz and her mother felt better in the fresh air, and she called the South Gate. The on-duty officer provided the non-emergency number for the fire department, which responded promptly. Reflecting back, she said, "I probably should have called 911."

The firefighters shut off the propane outside the house and extinguished the pilot lights inside. Fortunately, neither she nor her mother required medical treatment.

Horowitz expressed gratitude for the response by the security officer, firemen, and paramedics. "They were all very prompt, professional, and helpful,” she said. “We are lucky to have people there when we need help."

Following the incident, Horowitz called Bell Bros. for an inspection. A technician discovered a problem in the connection between the propane line and the furnace in the attic, causing the leak. The furnace was directly above the dining room where they had been sitting.

Breathing the propane could have been fatal, and the flammable gas posed an explosion risk. "It is certainly scary to realize that there are parts of our homes that can kill you. We will be more careful in the future, but now I am worried about everyone else,” she said.

Horowitz took to social media on December 28 to share her experience and warn other propane users. She said one respondent sent a group text to alert all 22 homeowners on Retreats Trail Court. 

Propane leaks at three homes on Retreats Trail Court in Rancho Murieta are raising concerns. The most recent was Dec. 8.

Before this incident, Horowitz wasn’t aware that carbon monoxide and smoke detectors couldn't detect the chemical formulation in propane gas. "Because it is not a commonly used item, there isn't a law that says you must have a propane detector."

Given that the heavier-than-air propane sinks, she recommended installing detectors about 18 inches from the floor in the kitchen, bedrooms, and garage.

Having learned about two other propane leaks on Retreats Trail Court, Horowitz is reaching out to gather information from other affected homeowners. She can be contacted at [email protected].

 Once Horowitz confirms details about the builder, she plans to make contact. “It’s scary that a number of these homes have had an issue with propane,” she said. “I’m hopeful the builder will re-inspect all of the homes to be sure they are safe and up to code.”