Calgary Fire Responds to Fatal Carbon Monoxide Incident

At around 1:30am fire crews were called to support Emergency Health Services (EHS) in the 900 block of Rundlecairn Way NE for two people found in medical distress.

Fire crews arrived to find EHS & Calgary Police Services (CPS) already on scene in the back alley of a residential home with two patients requiring lifesaving interventions. Fire crews assisted with CPR and called for additional fire crews. On further investigation fire crews were told that the patients were initially found inside the detached garage and then moved into the alley. Firefighters entered the garage and detected levels above 300 ppm of carbon monoxide, which can be fatal with a few hours of exposure. Two vehicles were found inside the garage, neither of which were actively running at the time of entry.

EHS and CPS have issued statements confirming that one patient was declared deceased on scene while a second patient was transported to hospital in life threatening condition but later declared deceased in hospital. The Medical Examiner was called to scene and investigating.

The Calgary Fire Department reminds all residents that working carbon monoxide alarms save lives and should be installed on every level of the home, especially near sleeping areas. CO alarms can be purchased at any hardware stores. Caution should be taken when ordering any CO alarms online and ensure that alarms meet Canadian safety standards.

A common source of CO gas in your home is your furnace, but any household appliances which run on fuels, like natural gas and propane and even fireplaces can be a source. Schedule routine maintenance and inspections performed by qualified personnel to ensure these appliances are working properly.

Fuel powered vehicles should be moved outside of garages after being started as exhaust fumes contains CO and can quickly accumulate to dangerous levels.

For more information on carbon monoxide safety, visit calgary.ca/fire and ATCO Gas

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