Gas that killed 12-year-old Airdrie boy came from on-demand hot water heater

RCMP says unit was not venting properly and flooded apartment with carbon monoxide

Image | Airdrie carbon monoxide evacuate

Caption: The apartment complex in Airdrie where a 12-year-old boy was killed by carbon monoxide on Feb. 4. (Anis Heydari/CBC)

The carbon monoxide that killed a 12-year-old boy in Airdrie came from an on-demand hot water heater that was not venting properly.
RCMP said in a news release that the matter was not criminal in nature.
The boy was rushed to hospital on Feb. 4 along with two adult family members and the complex where he lived was evacuated. He died around 5 p.m.
RCMP are stressing the importance of smoke alarms and CO detectors.
"Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas often referred to as 'The Silent Killer' as it is invisible, silent and odourless," reads the news release.
"A carbon monoxide detector should be located on every floor of the home and within three to five metres of sleeping quarters."