A man in his fifties was found dead in the furnace room of a Taradale home on Tuesday after firefighters were called to reports of high levels of carbon monoxide.
Immediately upon arriving and entering the building, the carbon monoxide detectors worn by EMS crews began to sound, so they had to retreat outside. Firefighters were able to enter the home wearing breathing apparatus.
Initially, carbon monoxide levels of 90 parts per million (ppm) were detected in the home. However, in the basement, the carbon monoxide was at 270 ppm.
Generally, above 70 ppm, people can become sick with headache, fatigue and nausea. At sustained CO concentrations above 150 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible.
EMS transported three other people who were in the home at the time to hospital in stable condition.
Carol Henke, the public information officer with the Calgary Fire Department, says fire crews were unable to determine what caused the high carbon monoxide levels in the home on Taradale Drive N.E.
No carbon monoxide detectors were found in the home, she said.