Autopsy shows woman did not die from carbon monoxide

The death of a 41-year-old woman at a Saskatoon apartment was not caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, despite the fact dangerous levels of the gas were discovered in the building, police said.

Following an autopsy, the death was found to be non-criminal in nature, city police said Friday.

The investigation will be handled by the provincial coroner.

Firefighters, police and ambulance staff responded Wednesday to the apartment building at 342 Avenue R South after a 911 call around 10 a.m. Upon arriving at the scene, crews found the woman’s body in her suite.

Emergency crews ordered the building evacuated due to high carbon monoxide levels inside. Initial tests that morning found the level of carbon monoxide in the air was 150 parts per million (ppm). The fire department ventilates structures at 20 ppm, evacuates at 50 ppm, and has its personnel wear protective gear when a sample is greater than 100 ppm.

Fire department staff turned off the natural gas supply to the building. Crews also began ventilating it while informing residents.

Assistant fire chief Wayne Rodger said personnel on site did not find a carbon monoxide detector in the building. The detectors are only mandatory for structures built within the last five years.

Investigators soon discovered that the carbon monoxide buildup was caused by the deteriorated state of the building’s boiler and chimney. The fire department inspected the building earlier this year, but boiler inspections aren’t within the parameters of the evaluations, Rodger said.

Carbon monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless. A person suffering the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning could feel sluggish, develop a headache or lose consciousness.

Postmedia News