Calgary Fire Department evacuates downtown highrise for dangerous CO levels

Just before noon today, the Calgary Fire Department was called to a 14 floor residential building at the 600 block of 4th Avenue S.W. for reports of carbon monoxide. On arrival, firefighters found high levels of CO in the boiler room with significant levels also present in some of the residences. Initially, three people complained of symptoms consistent with CO exposure and were assessed by AHS. The building was evacuated resulting in the temporary displacement of 20 people. A City of Calgary Senior Safety Codes Officer from the Safety Response Unit as well as ATCO Gas were requested to attend by CFD to assist with the investigation. Residents were allowed back into the building after 3:00 pm. after firefighters determined readings of CO throughout the building were zero. The source of the CO is still being investigated. There were no CO alarms in the building to alert residences to this potentially hazardous situation.

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