Carbon monoxide alarm saves residents

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE MARIE
FIRE SERVICES

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During the late evening hours of January 20, 2015, Fire Services responded to a Hocking Avenue residence for a reported carbon monoxide (CO) incident.

Occupants of the home were alerted when their CO detector went into alarm.

Subsequently, 911 was called with one of the residents indicating CO symptoms.

When Fire Services arrived, the air quality showed a high content of carbon monoxide.

The occupants were removed from the home to a safe environment.

Emergency Medical Services responded as a precautionary measure, but none of the occupants were transferred to the Sault Area Hospital.

A heating contractor was called to determine the cause of the CO gas which currently remains under investigation.

The Red Cross agency also responded and made arrangements for the occupants to stay overnight in a local hotel.

Fire Services would like to remind citizens that in Ontario, all homes with fossil fuel burning appliances and/or an attached garage, must have a working CO alarm.

It is the law! It is also good practice to have all fossil fuel appliances serviced annually, to ensure they remain in good working order.

In this incident, without this early warning device, the consequences for the occupants would have been far worse.

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