An entire highrise in Burnaby needed to be evacuated on Friday night.
At around 11:30 p.m. last night, Burnaby firefighters responded to a highrise apartment building at 6680 Arcola St. for a CO detector going off in a suite.
When crews arrived, they found high levels of gas in several floors on the upper levels. They decided to evacuate the building and contacted FortisBC.
Three transit buses were brought in to keep the evacuated residents warm. Paramedics were seen assessing multiple residents, but nobody was transported to hospital.
Fire crews and FortisBC could not determine the exact cause of the gas but they believed it to be a problem with a boiler.
Firefighters ventilated the building and ensured the building was clear of gas before allowing residents to return.
This coming week is Fire Prevention Week in Canada and part of the focus is on CO dangers.
1) What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas produced by the burning of any fossil fuel. It doesn’t smell, it’s invisible, and if too much is inhaled, it can be deadly. It is often referred to as “the silent killer”.
2) Can electric heaters cause CO poisoning?
No, unless they cause a fire.
3) Can natural gas or propane cause CO poisoning?
Yes. Any fossil fuel (gasoline, natural gas, propane, butane, oil, kerosene, wood, charcoal, even methanol) will release CO when burned.
4) Is carbon monoxide the same as carbon dioxide?
No. Carbon dioxide is exhaled when you breathe, and is not poisonous. Carbon monoxide is very poisonous, and is responsible for more deaths every year than any other gas.
5) How does CO poisoning show up?
Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. More severe cases can cause seizures, heart attacks, loss of consciousness, irreversible brain damage and death. In early stages, it can be difficult to tell apart from food poisoning. If multiple people in a home or office feel sick at the same time, always consider CO poisoning.
6) How can I prevent CO poisoning?
Make sure all furnaces, fireplaces and gas ranges are properly vented. An annual check by a professional is recommended. Except for a fireplace and a professionally installed gas cooktop, don’t burn indoors. Never use a barbecue or gas heater inside. Never run a generator or gas powered pressure washer inside, even in a garage. Your house will not have the ventilation needed to run any gas engine inside, ever.
Get a CO detector. Better yet, get more than one. Put them near the main living area. Carbon monoxide often kills people while they sleep, so also having detectors near all bedrooms is recommended.
7) I have a smoke detector. Is that the same as a CO detector?
No. You should have both, as you can have smoke suggesting a fire without much CO, or have dangerous amounts of CO without smoke. Many companies sell a combined unit. If you’re not sure, ask someone at the store.
8) What should we do if the CO detector sounds an alarm?
The safest thing to do is get everyone out of the house into fresh air, and call 911. The fire department can check the home for CO levels, and advise you if it is safe or not.
9) How is CO poisoning treated?
First, get everyone to a safe area. Call 911 as soon as possible. First responders will apply oxygen. In severe cases, patients may need to go to a hospital. Some may need treatment in a hyperbaric chamber.
