Confusion and concern as ‘silent killer’ alarms ring out in Castlebar

Investigations are ongoing into the cause of a number of carbon monoxide alarms going off in a Castlebar housing estate over the weekend.

Several houses in the Lios na Circe estate in Castlebar woke to the shock of their carbon monoxide alarms going off on Saturday. The seriousness of carbon monoxide is evident by its nickname as the ‘silent killer.'

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Each year in Ireland there are, on average, six fatalities from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas Networks Ireland outlines the dangers the colourless, odourless and poisonous gas poses - at low levels carbon monoxide can cause serious illness, however at high levels, carbon monoxide can kill in as little as three minutes.

Investigations ongoing

ONE of the Lios na Circe residents, Olga Melnychuk, made the decision to evacuate her home and stay in a hotel overnight after her carbon monoxide alarm continued to be triggered.

She explains that a neighbour’s carbon monoxide alarm went off on Wednesday and that by Saturday morning, a number of other residents’ carbon monoxide alarms were ringing out.

She and other residents are calling for the monitoring of ambient carbon monoxide levels around the estate and measures to ensure resident safety, including recommendations for long-term prevention.

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Local Councillor, Michael Kilcoyne, told The Mayo News that “this is really serious. It needs to be dealt with. It needs to get 100 percent attention. I have written to the council. I want to know what action they are taking, and also what action they have taken to ensure that this doesn't happen again.”

In a statement to The Mayo News, Mayo County Council said that “investigations into the cause are ongoing.”

It stated that “both the Fire Service and engineers from the Castlebar Municipal District responded promptly.”

The Council also wished to “remind all households of the importance of maintaining their carbon monoxide alarms and to vacate the premises immediately if an alarm sounds. Only return once it has been confirmed safe to do so.”

Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) responded immediately to a call about a carbon monoxide alarm activation in the estate on Saturday morning. An inspection of the premises was carried out and “no trace of carbon monoxide was found. However, as the vents in the property were found to be closed, a hazard notice was issued to the resident.”

Cause unclear

IT is now nearly a week on from the first carbon monoxide alarm being triggered in the estate and the cause at the time of writing remains unclear.

Uisce Éireann told The Mayo News that it was notified by the Mayo Fire Brigade of reports of carbon monoxide alarms being activated within individual properties at Lios na Circe in Castlebar on Saturday, and dispatched a crew to investigate.

The water utility is “continuing to liaise with Mayo County Council in investigating the source of the issue, which has not yet been determined.”

Carbon Monoxide can be released by any fuel when it is burned, including coal, turf, oil, gas and wood. A badly installed, faulty, damaged or blocked appliance, chimney or flue can release carbon monoxide. Appliances at risk include open fireplaces, gas boilers, gas appliances, oil-fired boilers or solid fuel stoves.  

GNI explains that carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable. While having a carbon monoxide alarm will significantly reduce the risk of CO poisoning, it needs to be working correctly for it to be effective.

According to residents, this issue has coincided with a persistent obnoxious odour in the area.

Urgent investigation

THE residents are calling for an urgent investigation into the potential presence of sewer gas (including CO, methane, and hydrogen sulphide) in the area, the condition and ventilation of the estate’s sewer infrastructure, possible environmental contamination or improper waste disposal in the adjacent field and river.

If your alarm goes off, the advice is to open doors and windows to ventilate the area, according to GNI. They advise you to stop using/turn off any fuel-burning appliances immediately and get everyone out into fresh air.

If you're not suffering any symptoms related to carbon monoxide poisoning, call a qualified service agent to check your appliances before you re-use them.

If you're still worried, call the Carbon Monoxide Awareness Line on 1800 89 89 89.

If you suspect anyone in your house has been poisoned by carbon monoxide and has any of the associated symptoms, get fresh air immediately, then go to your doctor and ask him/her to check for carbon monoxide poisoning. If you find anyone in your house unconscious, call a doctor immediately.