Residents of a condo in Airdrie where two carbon monoxide (CO) leaks happened in one week are being urged to have their units inspected.
Two leaks happened at the building last week, the first of which resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy.
Investigations determined both leaks were the result of poorly ventilated water heaters. It was also determined there were no CO detectors throughout the building.
The letters, issued by the city’s building inspection team on Thursday, requested each resident of 700 Willowbrook Road N.W. have their boiler and venting safety inspected and serviced by an adequately qualified individual who has a business license with the city.
Each resident must have proof of inspection sent to the city by March 12.
The letter also states the city could take legal action if any resident fails to comply with the order.
Just a few weeks into leasing a unit in the Airdrie apartment, Elysha Schlichter’s life changed forever.
“Two months, that was it. We didn’t have pictures on the wall or anything, we were still just settling in,” Schlichter said Friday.
Now, she’s grieving the loss of her 12-year-old son Trai, who died after a carbon monoxide leak there.
Schlichter says worried tenants still living in the building have been contacting her.
“All of them are concerned about their own safety, wondering what tank will go next and who’s going to get hurt. Some people are staying with relatives until they can find a new place,” Schlichter said.
“If you have a fuel-fired appliance in your home, you should be having it reviewed once a year to ensure that it’s functional and working properly,” Pertti Harkonen with City of Airdrie building inspections said Friday.
Mark Bezanson has owned a condo in the Airdrie building for three years. He’s concerned about the costs and who should be held accountable.
“It’s tough for us because we got our unit serviced six or seven months ago and now we’re having to get it serviced again and it looks like a $600-$800 bill. Our CO units are actually at 200 when they’re supposed to be 150,” Bezanson said.
“They’re saying they may have to replace the whole unit and who knows much that is. But if the ventilation is jammed up, then it gathers into the apartment.”
In a statement to Global News, Crown Shores board of directors and management stated;
“We have sourced a licensed technician for owners/occupants of units housing the boiler systems in question to schedule their city-mandated inspection in the coming days.”
Schlichter said she misses her son and his big smile but believes his death can raise awareness and prevent more tragedies.
“It’s really hard to say he was meant to go this way, but the impact and the lives he’s saving, it helps a lot to know there’s a reason for it.”
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