3 homes evacuated in Timberlea, N.S., due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels

Three homes in Timberlea, N.S., were evacuated due to carbon monoxide levels on Tuesday.

Three homes were evacuated due to dangerous carbon monoxide levels in Timberlea, N.S., on Tuesday night.

The Halifax Professional Fire Fighters Association says crews responded to a carbon monoxide alarm around 9 p.m. After the homes were evacuated, crews cleared the scene around 1:30 a.m.

“The 911 call...originated from one of the three homes that was subsequently evacuated, and it was due to their at home carbon monoxide detector going off,” said Richard Sullivan, executive officer with the association. “It’s critically important, for homeowners to purchase a carbon monoxide detector for their home. That little bit of prevention will go a long way. In this case, potentially could have saved the lives of three families.”

The association says crews returned to the scene Wednesday morning to reassess the home affected by the carbon monoxide. Blasting company representatives and Nova Scotia government officials were also at the scene.

“We shouldn’t feel scared of a carbon monoxide leak at all or any gas leak or anything like that,” said Leia Golan, a resident in the area. “Especially not at night after suffering a long day of ‘explosions’ and noise from (their) work. So, I’m really hoping they do something about that and keep us safe.”

Sullivan said there is some speculation the carbon monoxide may have entered the homes via underground pathways with possible links to a blasting operation, but the official cause is still under investigation.

-With files from Vanessa Wright

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