High levels of carbon monoxide forces evacuation of high-rise building in Overbrook

A high-rise building in Overbrook was evacuated due to high levels of carbon monoxide on Sunday, February 6, because the building's furnace heater on the roof was blocked with snow.

Ottawa fire crews were called to the 22-storey building on Donald Street, between Quill Street & Beaudry Street Sunday morning.

The high levels of carbon monoxide were detected on multiple floors, Ottawa Fire Services said in a series of tweets.

The entire building proceeded to be evacuated. Several residents needed assistance.

@OttFire on scene for a HazMat call on Donald Street between Quill Street & Beaudry Street at a high-rise building with elevated levels of Carbon Monoxide on the seventh floor. The seventh floor has been evacuated. #OttNews @OttawaPolice @Ottawa_Traffic pic.twitter.com/RTH6nKIcJW

— Ottawa Fire Services (@OttFire) February 6, 2022

Ottawa public transit brought buses for the residents to stay warm. It was minus-13 C in but felt like minus-20 C.

The department’s hazmat team determined the cause of the carbon monoxide was the blocked furnace heater on the roof.

Firefighters then ventilated the entire building, and carbon monoxide levels have since dropped to zero.

Residents have returned home. There were no reported injuries.

@OttFire located the source, which was a furnace heater on the roof that was blocked with snow. Firefighters have ventilated the entire structure and carbon monoxide levels are down to zero. Residents have returned inside and there are no reported injuries. #OttNews pic.twitter.com/w1MGcJecDM

— Ottawa Fire Services (@OttFire) February 6, 2022