A 25-year-old Indian international student, who had recently graduated, tragically succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning on Tuesday at a Kitchener residence, as reported by a family representative. The young man had come to Canada four years ago. Speaking on behalf of the grieving family, Don Patel shared the heart-wrenching sentiment of the parents, now back in India, unable to comprehend the loss of their son and questioning how such a tragedy could occur.
The Kitchener Fire Department and police confirmed that the carbon monoxide poisoning was accidental and resulted from a running car in the garage of the residence. Emergency personnel responded to the incident around 7:30 a.m. According to Patel, the deceased was the first to wake up on Tuesday morning, hearing some noise, and upon opening the garage door, he collapsed due to the inhalation of toxic fumes.
Firefighters found him in the garage without vital signs. The six additional occupants of the house were taken to the hospital, but Patel mentioned on Wednesday afternoon that they were stable, in good health, and close to being discharged. Deputy Fire Chief Chris Davidson reported that no operational carbon monoxide alarms were found in the house.
It is mandatory for all homes in Ontario to have operational carbon monoxide and fire alarms. The tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential consequences of not having proper safety measures in place. Davidson emphasized the importance of functional carbon monoxide alarms, stating that they protect families from an otherwise undetectable threat.
Don Patel and others are working with the consulate to expedite the return of the young man’s body to India. He expressed the urgency to avoid the heartbreak of waiting for a week or 10 days to reunite with their loved one. While most residents have been cleared to return home by the Kitchener Fire, Patel noted that many are still grappling with the emotional impact of the incident.
