12 escape home filled with carbon monoxide: Calgary fire
Posted Mar 9, 2023 8:20 am.
Last Updated Mar 9, 2023 8:23 am.
Calgary fire say 12 people managed to escape after a carbon monoxide scare in the city’s northeast on Wednesday morning.
Firefighters say the residents, four adults and eight children which includes an infant, were alerted to the silent killer by a combination alarm just before 8 a.m. on Marcombe Drive.
After the whirring of the alarm, the family searched for evidence of gas in their home but found none, so they called 911.
When fire crews arrived, they said there were readings of 130 parts per million, which climbed to 160 ppm.
Carbon monoxide causes headaches, fatigue, and nausea at around 200 ppm after two to three hours.
The fire department says they helped the residents escape, and crews ventilated the home while waiting for ATCO to arrive. No injuries were reported.
Fire crews say a working carbon monoxide alarm is the only warning residents can receive of gases in a home.
In addition, firefighters say if anyone near you experiences the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning or your alarm activates, you should leave your home or the building you are in and call 911. They warn to not go back inside until the fire department says it is safe to do so.
Meanwhile, for homes that are rented out, the fire department says the landlord is responsible for ensuring a working smoke and carbon monoxide alarm are installed, and it’s a tenant’s responsibility to maintain them.
Calgary fire has more safety information on its website.
