Zamboni the suspected cause of McMeeken evacuation, says TSSA (update)

1:10 p.m. update:

A Technical Standards and Safety Authority spokesperson says a gasoline-powered Zamboni is suspected to be the source of last night's carbon monoxide.

"If that is the case, TSSA will no longer be involved in the matter as it will fall outside our area of responsibility," said a statement from the public safety agency.

A TSSA inspector was at the McMeeken this morning working with arena management "to determine next steps."

12:56 p.m. original story:

W.J. McMeeken Centre on Goulais Avenue does have carbon monoxide detectors, confirms the city's chief administrative officer.

The city-owned and operated arena remains closed after high carbon monoxide levels caused many to become ill at the arena Tuesday and report to Sault Area Hospital’s emergency department.

A news release issued by the city of Sault Ste. Marie indicated “Sault Fire Services, other city staff, Union Gas, the HVAC operator and representatives of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority are currently investigating.”

“There are CO detectors in the building, but we can’t say specifically where everything was located, so we need to do the investigation to complete that review…where they (the detectors) were located still needs to be determined in terms of the incident, we’re still trying to find out what the source was,” said Al Horsman, city CAO, speaking to SooToday this morning.

“Everything is still under investigation,” Horsman said.

Players and staff from the Korah and St. Mary's hockey teams, along with others, were in hospital Tuesday evening being treated after exposure to carbon monoxide at the McMeeken Centre.

Following the high school hockey game, the arena was evacuated during a Sault Female Hockey Association game for girls aged seven to 10. 

Elissa Plastino, her husband and three children were evacuated, and she, along with her three children, were treated after reporting to Sault Area Hospital (SAH).

Plastino’s 10-year-old daughter complained of a severe headache Tuesday evening.

“It’s scary…(I think) this is something that could have been prevented,” Plastino told SooToday. 

Plastino’s daughter was resting comfortably at home Wednesday.

Plastino emailed Sault Mayor Christian Provenzano and informed him of the trauma experienced by her family at the city owned and operated McMeeken Centre.

“Mayor Provenzano responded within five minutes and said they’re looking for answers as well,” Plastino said.

“We’re just fortunate enough that one of the parents from the high school boys hockey teams was a firefighter who recognized the symptoms (of exposure to carbon monoxide).”

Plastino praised those in charge of the evacuation and SAH emergency staff.

Under Ontario law, all residential buildings must have a working CO alarm, but the province’s website does not mention arenas.

The government states “there are no provincial requirements for CO alarms in properties built before 2001. However, many municipalities have required these devices through municipal by-laws.”

The city of Sault Ste. Marie has stated further information on the McMeeken incident will be provided as it becomes available.