Published: January 13, 2009 11:01 am      

Carbon monoxide kills two brothers

LIGONIER — Authorities say two brothers died when they were overcome by carbon monoxide fumes in their rural Ligonier home.

The Noble County Sheriff’s Department says the boys, Michael L. Herschberger, 14, and Lyle E. Herschberger, 12, were found dead in their home near Ligonier Monday night.

Police say the brothers were in the basement of their home, operating a gasoline-powered pump to fill a water tank for their horses. A faulty exhaust vent apparently allowed carbon monoxide fumes to leak into the basement.

The boys’ parents left the home at 5:45 p.m. to get groceries. When they returned at 9:30 p.m. they found the boys unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. A neighbor called police.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Yeager Funeral Home, Ligonier.

The incident is being investigated by the Noble County Sheriff’s Department and coroner.