On Saturday night there was a carbon monoxide alarm in Weener (Leer district). Two people lost consciousness and had to be hospitalized.
Weener – Big effort for fire Department and rescue service in East Frisia: On Saturday night there was (District of Leer) Carbon monoxide alarm.
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Fire and rescue services were on a large scale in Weener. © Leer district fire brigade
Relatives dialed the emergency number at 3:38 a.m. because two residents of an apartment building in Haagstiege had lost consciousness, the police said.
According to the fire brigade, a measuring device for carbon monoxide was already activated when entering the apartment. The gas is odorless and deadly in high concentrations.
The rescuers immediately triggered a major alarm.
The entire building had to be evacuated to be on the safe side. Nine residents and their pets had to leave their homes.
Firefighters walked through the building wearing heavy breathing apparatus to check all the apartments.
They also had to force open several doors. The THW was used for professional closing.
The ambulance service looked after several residents. A 45-year-old and a 52-year-old were taken to a hospital in Leer for observation.
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The fire brigade evacuated the apartment building in Weener. © Leer district fire brigade
The building was locked for the time being and taken off the grid by the energy supplier. The residents stayed with neighbors, friends or family.
During the operation, fire fighters were insulted by a passerby. The police were able to clarify the incident.
The mission was over after more than three hours.
But the reason for the high carbon monoxide concentration could not be found. During the day, a heating specialist should look for possible sources.
The fire brigade points out that carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion or by defects in poorly maintained or defective wood, oil or gas heating systems.
The gas is tricky because it doesn’t smell. It displaces the oxygen in the blood.
The consequences: first drowsiness followed by unconsciousness and death from suffocation. In Weener, a catastrophe like this was barely prevented.
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