Six hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak in North Vancouver apartment building

Six people were hospitalized after carbon monoxide seeped through a North Vancouver apartment building on August 10 when a boiler vent became detached, allowing dangerous levels of the gas to accumulate throughout the 25-unit, three-storey structure built in 1967.

One family began experiencing symptoms around 6 a.m. — dizziness, weakness, numbness in their legs, and severe fatigue. After researching online and identifying carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause, they called 911 and alerted the building manager's family, who lived next door. Hospital blood tests confirmed carbon monoxide exposure for all family members. They were treated with oxygen for at least six hours. The building cat was also given oxygen after being restless during the night.

Emergency crews measured carbon monoxide exceeding 1,500 parts per million in some areas of the building — the maximum display reading on their instruments. Levels above 1,500 parts per million can be fatal. An older man in another unit and a child in a third unit were also treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Technical Safety BC classified the incident as major. The building had no operating carbon monoxide detectors or alarms. The malfunction was traced to multiple unsealed openings through mechanical room walls and one large hole in the ceiling that allowed gas to leak into the rest of the building. A faulty boiler vent connection and malfunctioning boiler that caused gases to recirculate all contributed to the buildup. The absence of detectors meant exposure continued with increasing severity over a prolonged period before anyone identified the problem.

The source material does not state the building's address, identify the owner or operator, indicate whether the building manager took action after being informed, confirm whether detectors have since been installed, or describe any enforcement action or penalties resulting from the incident.