Calgary fire crews respond to tragic carbon monoxide incident in Taradale December 3
Calgary, AB – Shortly after noon today, Calgary fire crews and EMS responded to a home in Taradale following reports of an unresponsive man in the basement. Upon arrival, EMS personnel entered the home but immediately exited when their carbon monoxide (CO) monitors detected a presence of the gas. Firefighters equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and CO monitors then entered to ensure the safety of all responders.
Fire crews detected CO levels of 90 parts per million (ppm) near the front entryway and over 270 ppm in the basement, where they tragically found a man in his 50s deceased in the furnace room.
Three other residents of the home were assessed by EMS for CO exposure and transported to hospital for further treatment. ATCO Gas attended the scene to shut off the natural gas supply, and firefighters ventilated the home, reducing CO levels to zero.
The Calgary Police Service and the Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating this sudden death. During a walkthrough of the residence, firefighters did not find visible signs of CO alarms, nor were any alarms audible upon arrival.
“This is an unimaginable loss, and our thoughts are with the family, friends, and neighbours of the deceased during this difficult time,” said Calgary Fire Department spokesperson Carol Henke.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that builds up in your body and ultimately, can be deadly. The Calgary Fire Department encourages all residents to install CO alarms on every level of their home, especially near sleeping areas, and to test them monthly. Ensure you know when they expire and replace appropriately.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure?
If you are exposed to CO gas, you may get flu-like symptoms such as:
- headaches
- nausea
- dizziness
- confusion
- fatigue
- lose consciousness.
Other warning signs that you might have CO gas in your house include:
- stale or stuffy air
- a lot of moisture on your windows and walls
- soot build-up around appliances and vents
- or a pilot light that keeps going out.
If you or anyone in your house experiences the symptoms of CO poisoning or your CO alarm goes off, you should leave your house and call 911.
Do not go back into the house until the Fire Department tells you it is safe to do so.
For more information about carbon monoxide safety, visit calgary.ca/fire
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