sgonzales@mercurynews.com

Posted: 01/17/2011 07:11:05 PM PST Updated: 01/17/2011 10:24:55 PM PST

The intentions of the man who entered a recently fumigated San Jose house on Lanier Lane are unknown. But his actions proved fatal as he apparently was overcome with toxic fumes and died.

The identity of the 45-year-old man was not released.

"We don't know why he was there, whether he was homeless and trying to stay warm or was looking at the fact that no one was in the house and was trying to break in," said San Jose police Officer Jose Garcia.

What is known is that the home on the 200 block of Lanier Lane had recently been fumigated and was covered with a tent when the man broke in, said Garcia. Authorities do not know when the man might have entered the house, but he was last seen Saturday evening.

When employees from the exterminator company returned to finish up the work at about 3:20 p.m. Monday, they found the man overcome with fumes inside. The house was temporarily vacant during the fumigation.

San Jose firefighters, who were called to the house, entered wearing special suits and masks and carried the body of the man outside where he was pronounced dead.

It is unclear what kind of chemicals were used to fumigate the home. But in the past methyl bromide was commonly used in structural fumigation. However, it has been largely phased out because of stricter state pesticide regulations and replaced with Vikane -- sulfonyl fluoride.

Fumigation, also known as tenting, is a method of pest control that completely gets rid of pests within the area being fumigated.

Typically, signs are posted at the site warning of the dangerous fumes. And, in this case, authorities said, signs were properly posted indicating the danger.

Submitted on 01/17/2011

Submitted by: Don Blanding
Reference: San Jose Mercury News - 1/17-2011

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I think we've had one or two stories similar to this in the past but not enough to consider it too common yet. Thanks, Don.

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Not very many. Seriously, who goes into a house covered by a large plastic tent and enough warning signs for three buildings?

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