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By Ben Tompkins

Emergency response

Humboldt EMS and firefighters respond to carbon monoxide alarms at apartment complex

Jan 12, 2023 | 6:53 AM

A total of 25 residents at an apartment complex in Humboldt dealt with a bit of a scare, in the early evening of Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Originally, the Humboldt Fire Department’s fire chief and deputy fire chief were called to the scene at around 5 p.m. after a maintenance staff member was alerted by carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.

Upon their arrival, they detected high levels of CO throughout the building, as dispatch was then notified, and the remainder of the fire department and Humboldt and District Ambulance Service were deployed.

All 25 residents were assessed on scene by paramedics, and treated as necessary, with some being transported to the Humboldt District Hospital Complex.

The remainder were transported to the Humboldt Uniplex by Humboldt’s Mobility Van and St. Mary’s Villa transportation bus.

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Reassessments by paramedics were completed at the Uniplex with some patients being rerouted to the hospital.

Investigation of where the leak began and spread continued throughout the night, and on early Wednesday morning, residents were advised the leak was located and contained and that the property was safe to re-enter.

Thankfully, for those who didn’t have a place to spend the night, the Bella Vista Inn stepped up, and provided people at the Uniplex with food, coffee and water.

Everyone, including those who were treated and discharged from the hospital, were also provided rooms courtesy of the Inn.

Because of these acts of kindness, the City of Humboldt, the Humboldt Fire Department, and the Humboldt Ambulance Service sent out a statement to, “extend their utmost gratitude to Judy Plag at the Bella Vista for the food and housing, and to Dave Wanhella, driver of the Mobility Van, and St. Mary’s Villa for providing transportation, and to the medical staff at the Humboldt District Hospital Complex for attending to those in need. This response would not have been as successful without their support.”

The Humboldt Fire Department also wanted to remind residents that on July 1, 2022, in accordance with the Construction Codes Act and Building Code Regulations, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in residential buildings became mandatory.

As for the fire chief himself, Mike Kwasnica added “often called the ‘invisible killer’, carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas created when fuels burn incompletely. We want all residents to understand the requirements and importance of CO alarms. In this instance, the alarms in this property saved lives.”

Any Humboldt residents with questions and/or concerns about smoke or carbon monoxide alarm requirements may contact the Humboldt Fire Department at (306) 682-2525, extension 324 or send an email to hfd@humboldt.ca.

They can also visit the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website or the City of Humboldt’s website, for more information.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8