by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 15/97) - Several residents heard a loud boom in their homes recently, hours after a power outage disrupted service to the city.

The Yellowknife Fire Department believe the "mini-explosion" may be associated with the power shortage.

"The only link we have is the timing," said deputy fire chief Mike Lowing. "We're still trying to figure out why there wasn't enough power to run the safety features."

The power outage apparently disrupted the safety feature on oil-fired furnaces that stops fuel pumping into the combustion chamber.

The fire department is aware of eight homes where once the power came back on, each had a small explosion called a blowback.

Lowing said he has never seen such a large number of blowbacks in such a short period of time.

"Blowbacks can happen any time," he said. "But it's statistically unusual to see this number of blowbacks."

Lowing said the explosions were significant.

"One woman woke up to hear her dog barking and then found a small fire in her furnace," he said. "Other people woke up to hear parts of their furnace blowing across the basement."

Last week's damage to furnaces range from a full replacement that can cost anywhere from $3,000 to minor repairs.

While no one was injured as a result of the mini- explosions, damage to the furnace can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Lowing suggests that residents get their furnace inspected annually, get a qualified technician to do all repairs and to do checks if the performance of the furnace wanes.

He also suggests carbon monoxide detectors be installed in every home. The fire department will complete a carbon monoxide test 24 hours a day for any residents who feels they are at risk.

While he said the explosions are no longer a concern, Lowing did say that there might be furnaces out there that are damaged and need to be looked at.

"A problem with a furnace can arise at any time," he added.