(Charlottetown) A Prince Edward Island fire inspector warns of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning as citizens rely on generators to keep warm. The blackout is in its 17e day since the storm hit Fiona.
Posted at 4:22 p.m.
Charlottetown fire inspector Winston Bryan says his team has had to respond to 284 calls for help since Fiona September 24. The post-tropical storm uprooted trees and destroyed electrical infrastructure across the island.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Mr. Bryan said he estimated that 25% of calls concern carbon monoxide detector alarms. These alarms are mostly related to improper use of gas generators due to power failure.
According to Mr. Bryan, these types of carbon monoxide calls normally constitute less than 5% of call volume.
He therefore wishes to remind the population that generators must remain outside the house, at least five feet from any window or opening. He adds that the exhaust system must face away from the house.
As of 3 p.m. Monday, Maritime Electric still counted 4,100 customers without power in the province. Over the weekend, a company representative advised that the last reconnected may have to wait until Friday.