One dead, six others in hospital after accidental CO poisoning in Kitchener
Posted Dec 19, 2023 12:13:04 PM.
Last Updated Dec 19, 2023 03:59:32 PM.
Tragedy in a Kitchener neighbourhood early Tuesday as an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning incident resulted in one death and sent several other people to hospital.
Waterloo Regional Police confirmed that emergency services were called to a residence on Activa Avenue near Periwinkle Street as a vehicle was left running in a garage.
The Kitchener Fire Department said they responded to the scene just before 7:30 a.m. and found dangerously elevated CO levels.
“Kitchener Fire evacuated three individuals who required medical attention. One individual was found in the garage with no vital signs and was transported to St. Mary’s General Hospital,” read an e-mail statement from the City of Kitchener to CityNews.
Police said a 25-year-old man was taken to hospital and pronounced dead. Six other people were also transported to hospital for treatment because of the CO poisoning.
Police added the incident is not considered suspicious. The investigation is ongoing by Waterloo Regional Police, the Kitchener Fire Department, and the Office of the Chief Coroner.
Devanshi Chauhan is an international student who lives in an adjoining townhouse beside the impacted residence.
She said the CO alarms were going off in their house shortly after 5 a.m. but they weren’t sure what to do. Chauhan and her roommates opened their windows and doors until their CO alarms stopped, and then went back to bed.
When they woke up, they discovered the emergency vehicles lining their street and saw one person lying on the ground, while others were getting oxygen masks.
Chauhan said firefighters ultimately checked the CO levels in their house to make sure it was safe to return inside, and all of her roommates were examined too.
Chauhan said they didn’t understand the severity of the situation until they found out their neighbour had died.
The Kitchener Fire Department issued a reminder that working carbon monoxide alarms save lives and are required in every residence. More details on CO safety can be found by clicking here.
