Ottawa firefighters respond to two carbon monoxide incidents Saturday morning

Ottawa firefighters responded to two calls where high levels of carbon monoxide were detected on Saturday. Jan. 24, 2026. (Ottawa Fire Services/x)

Ottawa firefighters attended to two separate incidents involving dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in high occupancy buildings on Saturday morning.

Ottawa Fire Services Public Information Officer Nick DeFazio says fire crews helped evacuate and ventilate two buildings where high levels of carbon monoxide were recorded, the Hyatt Place Hotel on Moodie Drive and a retirement home in Lowertown.

Firefighters responded to the first incident at the Hyatt Place Hotel shortly after 8 a.m., after the building’s manager called 911.

“The caller reported an unknown odour inside the building, occupants experiencing watery eyes, and alarms sounding in some guest rooms,” DeFazio said.

Fire crews detected 83 parts per million of carbon monoxide at the building’s front entrance and began evacuating approximately 100 people from the hotel.

Crews detected carbon monoxide levels as high as 200 parts per million on the sixth floor.

The carbon monoxide was found to be originating from the building’s HVAC system. DeFazio says HVAC technicians tended to repairs and crews are still on the scene ventilating carbon monoxide from the building.

“Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can cause serious illness or death,” DeFazio said. “Although this incident began with reports of an unknown odour, carbon monoxide itself cannot be smelled.”

Carbon monoxide exposure at levels above 70 parts per million, can cause symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Prolonged exposure above 150 parts per million can be life-threatening.

The second incident was reported just before 9 a.m., after multiple carbon monoxide alarms activated at a retirement home on Island Lodge Road.

Firefighters detected 54 parts per million of carbon monoxide on the sixth floor of the building, and confirmed similar readings on the seventh and eighth floors.

The source was once again found to be the building’s HVAC system.

An HVAC technician completed repairs and firefighters ventilated the building before clearing the scene at noon.

OC Transpo buses were dispatched to both scenes to provide temporary shelter for the occupants of the buildings. Enbridge Gas was also notified and responded to both incidents.

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