An elderly man in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in Brussels suffered from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning but is not in life-threatening condition.
The poisoning stemmed from a basement burner where the exhaust pipe for combustion gases was not connected to the chimney, according to the Brussels Fire Brigade.
A home care nurse alerted emergency services when she could not enter a patient’s home on Theodoor Cuypergarde.
"The nurse suspected her patient had fallen," explained fire brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw. "Local police from Montgomery and an ambulance from the Vlaams-Brabant West fire brigade in Zaventem responded, and the CO detector went off as soon as they entered the house."
With support from the Brussels Fire Brigade, they found the elderly resident who had fallen due to CO poisoning. The man was taken to the hospital but was not in life-threatening danger.
"The cause of the poisoning was the basement burner’s exhaust pipe not being connected to the chimney," the spokesperson noted, highlighting the importance of proper venting for combustion gases.
The fire brigade advises precautions to prevent CO poisoning: install compliant devices via certified technicians and ensure regular maintenance and inspections. Gas heating systems should be checked every two years, and oil boilers annually.
Ensure proper venting of combustion gases and maintain natural ventilation for fresh air supply. Install certified CO detectors, and if symptoms appear – such as nausea, vomiting, headache, or sudden fatigue – take action without risking self-harm: open the windows, evacuate people present, and call emergency services at 112.
