For the second time in less than 24 hours, a person in Brussels has fallen victim to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, the Brussels Fire Brigade announced.
This latest incident occurred in Neder-over-Heembeek due to a gas-fired space heater. On Saturday morning, an elderly woman in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean suffered serious CO poisoning.
"We must continue to stress the dangers of CO, the most common cause of poisoning in Belgium," stated the fire department.
Fire service spokesperson Walter Derieuw said, "This afternoon, around 14:20, an ambulance and a medical emergency unit were dispatched to a squatted building on Rue Ransbeek in Neder-over-Heembeek for an acute medical issue."
He added, "The rescuers’ CO detector immediately went off when they entered the room where the patient was located. She was evacuated, and the fire service was called to the scene. The woman, in her thirties, was taken to Brugmann Hospital. Fortunately, her condition is not life-threatening."
"The potentially lethal gas, which is tasteless, colourless, and odourless, originated from a gas stove that was not connected to a chimney. The combustion gases accumulated in the room due to a lack of ventilation and fresh air supply," continued Derieuw.
The fire brigade emphasised that portable space heaters should never be used in a bedroom at night.
"Use them sparingly during the day and ensure proper ventilation and fresh air supply. Devices such as barbecues are strictly forbidden for use as a heating source," they warned.
The Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) has issued a warning about unfavourable conditions for the operation of domestic heating systems and water heaters, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Every year in Belgium there are more than 1,000 victims of CO poisoning, of whom 2 to 3% die, according to the RMI.
