5people hospitalized with carbon monoxide exposure after incident in Dartmouth

CITYnews halifax / By Rachel Morgan

Five residents were taken to hospital and treated for carbon monoxide poisoning following an incident at an apartment building on Albro Lake Road.

Halifax Professional Fire Fighters said a call was received early Sunday morning from a staff member at Dartmouth General Hospital who was treating a patient who had been exposed to carbon monoxide.

At 1:10 a.m., Halifax Fire responded to the emergency at the 18-unit building, evacuating residents. Crews found “extremely high” levels of carbon monoxide and no alarms throughout the building.

Four more residents were also taken to hospital.

Related:

• Council directs staff to create cancer screening program for firefighters
• Halifax firefighters’ union decries risks after multiple fires at vacant buildings
• Halifax only paying for demolition of fire-damaged building at Bloomfield, city now says

Firefighters were able to locate the source of the carbon monoxide – a leak in the exhaust system of the building’s boiler. Responders were able to fix the leak and ventilate the building to allow occupants back inside.

“Carbon monoxide is deadly and invisible. Install CO alarms if you use gas appliances or have an attached garage,” Halifax Professional Fire Fighters wrote in a post on X.

Under the Nova Scotia Building Code, there is no legal requirement for carbon monoxide alarms in buildings located within the Halifax Regional Municipality. However, municipal officials and first responders recommend their instillation in all buildings, especially those with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage.

Signs of carbon monoxide exposure can range from mild symptoms of fatigue and dizziness, to more severe symptoms of nausea, fainting, or even coma or death.

If you suspect carbon monoxide exposure, evacuate the building and call 9-1-1.