A building in Greystone Heights had to be evacuated Friday due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels.
At 6:17 p.m. the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Centre received a 9-1-1 call from an occupant reporting a loud bang and the carbon monoxide alarms in the hallway ringing. Fire crews arrived to the building at 20 Bateman Crescent and found CO alarms ringing with no signs and symptoms of CO poisoning from the people inside. Upon testing fire crews identified 1600 parts per million of carbon monoxide. Additional fire personnel were requested to assist with evacuation.
The Fire Investigator identified that the exhaust serving the boiler had been broken on the exterior of the building. Children were reportedly hanging off the exhaust pipes which caused the ventilation to be damaged. This caused the boiler to be exhausted into the building instead of outside causing the high levels of carbon monoxide.
SaskEnergy worked with the property owner’s to repair the ventilation and SaskEnergy and fire crews took readings to ensure carbon monoxide is no longer being exhausted into the building. Residents were situated in a warm City Bus while repairs were conducted.
SaskEnergy were then able to confirm it was safe for residents to return to their suites.