Firefighters respond to 2 carbon monoxide calls during frigid temperatures

Firefighters responded to two separate incidents of carbon monoxide on Saturday morning that led to the evacuation of over 100 residents.

Shortly after 8 a.m., crews were called to the Hyatt Place Hotel, located at 300 Moodie Drive, for reports of some guests with watery eyes and alarms sounding in some guest rooms.

Crews initially read 83 PPM of carbon monoxide at the front entrance. Those readings reached as high as 200 PPM on the sixth floor.

Firefighters donned PPE and evacuated guests from the building. Enbridge was also notified and reported to the scene. Once evacuations were complete, firefighters began ventilating the building. Each room, as well as the common areas were ventilated.

The source of the carbon monoxide was determined to be the building’s HVAC system. The system was shut down and a technician was called to complete repairs.

Once carbon monoxide levels returned to safe readings, firefighters turned over the structure to property management. Firefighters cleared the scene at 12:49 p.m.

The second call came just before 9 a.m. Firefighters were called to a retirement home in the 100 block of Island Lodge Road, following reports of carbon monoxide alarms activated throughout the building.

Readings of 54 PPM were recorded on the sixth floor. Enbridge was notified and responded to the scene.

The source was identified as frozen components within the building’s HVAC system. Technicians were called to complete repairs.

An OC Transpo bus was used to provide temporary shelter while firefighters ventilated the building.

Firefighters cleared the scene at noon.

The threat of carbon monoxide increases in the winter due to increased use of heating systems and decreased ventilation.