One person is in unstable condition after carbon monoxide seeped throughout a Westwood home.

Early Sunday morning the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) received a report from a 300 block of Westwood Drive townhouse suite. WFPS says a carbon monoxide alarm was activated inside the home, alerting the crews.

Crews arrived at 5:39 a.m. sweeping the suite with a detector, confirming carbon monoxide had entered the home. 

They say readings of 100-120 parts per million (ppm) were inside the suite. Symptoms at those levels could include headaches and dizziness.

Entering neighbouring suites, crews discovered all had carbon monoxide present.

While searching, WFPS crews noticed one suite had readings of up to 1000 ppm and found an unresponsive person inside the suite.

The individual was transported to the hospital in unstable condition.

"WFPS reminds residents about the extreme danger of carbon monoxide. It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas produced by the combustion process. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are flu-like and include nausea, dizziness, confusion, vision and hearing loss, but no fever," the WFPS says in a statement.

After investigating, it was discovered that a vehicle was left running in an attached garage. The WFPS says they do not know how long the vehicle was running for, but add that it was the cause of the carbon monoxide leaking inside the homes.

WFPS says crews ventilated all the suites before allowing residents to safely return.

  • To prevent carbon monoxide from entering homes, the WFPS is sharing the following tips:
  • Never idle vehicles in an attached garage, even if the door is open
  • Have fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, wood-burning fireplaces, and gas dryers cleaned and checked annually by a qualified service technician
  • Ensure all fresh air intake vents, exhaust vents and chimneys are clear of snow, insulation, leaves, bird nests, lint, or debris
  • Make sure wood stoves are properly installed and vented
  • Don’t operate gasoline-powered engines, charcoal or propane barbecues or grills, kerosene stoves, or propane heaters indoors or in enclosed spaces

They strongly encourage residents to have a carbon monoxide alarm on each floor of their homes. If a resident suspects carbon monoxide has entered the home, WFPS asks residents to leave the building, calling 911 once outside.