Four people were poisoned by carbon monoxide in a house in Evere on Friday morning, according to Brussels firefighters.
The victims were taken to hospital, but are not in life-threatening condition. The poisoning was caused by poor ventilation of combustion gases from a gas burner in the basement.
"Emergency services received a call at around 09:00 about four people feeling unwell in a house on Rue de l'Arbre Unique in Evere," explained Brussels Fire Brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw.
"The necessary aid for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning was immediately dispatched. High levels of CO were detected in the house, and the four individuals were taken to hospital," he said.
A cat shelter was located in the basement of the building. Firefighters ventilated the area using fans, and a vet was called to care for the animals.
"The cause of the poisoning was the gas burner installed in the basement. The combustion gases were not being properly ventilated," stated the spokesperson.
To prevent CO poisoning, the firefighters advise that heating appliances are correctly installed by a certified technician, periodic maintenance is carried out, combustion gases are properly ventilated, and rooms are regularly aired out. Installing CO detectors is an additional safety measure.
It is also crucial to react quickly when experiencing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, headaches and sudden fatigue. Advice from firefighters is to open all windows, evacuate the premises, and call emergency services at 112.
