One dead, 7 hospitalized after apparent CO poisoning

A man was found dead and seven people, including four children, were taken to hospital Wednesday morning after an apparent carbon monoxide poisoning incident in southeast Calgary.

Paramedics responded to a townhouse complex in the 200 block of Elgin Way SE in McKenzie Towne at around 10: 15 a. m. after a number of residents complained about “experiencing symptoms consistent with being exposed to a noxious substance,” according to EMS.

One adult and two children were taken to the South Health Campus, and two adults and two children were taken to the Rockyview Hospital.

All were in stable, non- lifethreatening condition, with carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms.

The children were between one and four years old.

A man was found dead at the scene.

EMS notified city police, who are investigating.

Sgt. Cory Ma said there was a vehicle running and a “strong smell of exhaust” at the scene.

It’s not known whether or how the patients are connected.

Fire spokeswoman Carol Henke said the fire department was called to ventilate the building.

Henke said in addition to working smoke alarms, all homes should also be equipped with working carbon monoxide detectors as carbon monoxide is tasteless, colourless and non- irritating, and poisoning symptoms are akin to having the flu.