Skip to main content

Police believe carbon monoxide caused the deaths of three members of the same Brampton, Ont., family early Monday when propane heaters were brought into the home after the furnace stopped working in frigid conditions.

"It's just a tragedy … a terrible situation," Peel Regional Police Const. Fiona Thivierge told reporters Monday.

Just before 2 a.m. Monday, emergency services were called to a house on Linden Crescent, in the Dixie Road and Queen Street area. The 911 call was made by a 29-year-old resident of the house, who arrived home to find carbon monoxide detectors activated and members of his family unconscious.

Five people were taken to hospital, where three were pronounced dead. Two others remain in hospital and are expected to survive.

It's believe the victims are all members of the same extended family.

 

A woman, 59, and her husband, 60, are confirmed dead, along with their 36-year-old son.

Two other men, aged 56 and 66, are being treated in hospital.

Police believe the family's furnace stopped working Sunday, and at some point, propane heaters were brought inside to heat the home. Overnight temperatures Sunday dipped to –15 C range with wind chills in the mid –20s.

Police say those who died were in the upper level of the home, while the survivors were on the lower level.

"We would caution people to not bring propane heaters into their house," said Thivierge. "It's a very dangerous situation."

Shortly after 9 a.m. Monday, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services issued a warning on Twitter about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"This tragedy shows that it you should never use propane appliances in the home," said the tweet. "If your furnace goes out call for repair."

 

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...mpton-home-1.2575338

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Carbon monoxide poisoning leaves

family 'devastated'

Propane heaters were being used inside house after furnace stopped working

CBC NewsPosted: Mar 17, 2014 5:50 AM ETLast Updated: Mar 17, 2014 11:37 AM ET

Carbon monoxide poisoning kills 3
 Carbon monoxide poisoning kills 3 2:44
 

Police believe carbon monoxide caused the deaths of three members of the same Brampton, Ont., family early Monday when propane heaters were brought into the home after the furnace stopped working in frigid conditions.

"It's just a tragedy … a terrible situation," Peel Regional Police Const. Fiona Thivierge told reporters Monday.

Just before 2 a.m. Monday, emergency services were called to a house on Linden Crescent, in the Dixie Road and Queen Street area. The 911 call was made by Jerry Pitamber, 29, who arrived home to find carbon monoxide detectors activated and members of his family unconscious.

Five people inside the home were taken to hospital, where three were pronounced dead. Two others were treated in and have since been released.

Family ran 2 restaurants

The victims are members of an extended family that owns and operates two popular Guyanese-Chinese restaurants in Brampton.

Brampton.carbon.monoxide

Police say a man arrived home at this Brampton, Ont., house to find carbon monoxide alarms ringing and five members of his family unconscious. Three were pronounced dead in hospital, two are expected to survive. Police say propane heaters were in use in the home after the furnace stopped working on Sunday. (Steven Bull/CBC)

Dead are Peter Pitamber, 60, owner of Calypso Hut on Queen Street and his wife Seeta Pitamber, 59. The couple's 36-year-old son Terry Pitamber also died.

Also in the home was Paul Rampersaud, 56, Peter's brother (who took a different last name) and owner of the second Calypso Hut location. Paul was taken to hospital but was later released. Another man, a friend of the family's, was also released after being treated in hospital

At the time of the incident, the family had gathered at the Pitamber home to mourn the recent death of Paul and Peter's mother.

Paul Rampersaud issued a statement Monday on behalf of the family.

"Today has been an unimaginable and horrific day for our family," it reads. "The past few weeks have been extremely difficult, as we have been grieving the death of my mother who passed a few weeks ago.

"My brother, Peter Pitamber, came to this country from Guyana over three decades ago. From humble beginnings he became a respected businessman and active member of the Brampton community. Peter built a strong home for his family, and we ask that you now pray for his surviving son, Jerry.

"We are currently in the process of making funeral arrangements and would ask that the media kindly respect our privacy during this devastating time."

Police believe the family's furnace stopped working Sunday, and at some point, propane heaters were brought inside to heat the home. Overnight temperatures Sunday dipped to the –15 C range with the windchill making it feel like it was mid–20s.

Police said those who died were in the upper level of the home, while the survivors were on the lower level.

"We would caution people to not bring propane heaters into their house," said Thivierge. "It's a very dangerous situation."

Shortly after 9 a.m. Monday, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services issued a warning on Twitter about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"This tragedy shows that you should never use propane appliances in the home," said the tweet. "If your furnace goes out, call for repair."

FM
Originally Posted by warrior:
Originally Posted by Mitwah:

Just heard that Paul and friend survived, but Peter, his wife and son were not so lucky.

 welcome back my bro how was prison did they feed you 

As you might know, it was only recently that their mother passed away. This is a very sad and shocking tragedy. Peter was a very kind and charitable person.

Mitwah
 

Peter Pitamber, 60, with his surviving son Jerry, 28. Jerry found Peter, his mother Sita, 59 and brother Terry, 36 dead in their Brampton home early Monday morning of carbon monoxide poisoning. [Photo via The Star)

Peter Pitamber, 60, with his surviving son Jerry, 28. Jerry found Peter, his mother Sita, 59 and brother Terry, 36 dead in their Brampton home early Monday morning of carbon monoxide poisoning. (Photo via The Star) /Stabroek News.

Mitwah

what I never understand with some people, it is always stated all over the media to not have these things burning in your home because of the danger of inhaling the CO fumes. Yet some people still persists.  It was very very stupid of them to be going to sleep with that thing running. What about just using electric heaters.

Amral
Originally Posted by Amral:

what I never understand with some people, it is always stated all over the media to not have these things burning in your home because of the danger of inhaling the CO fumes. Yet some people still persists.  It was very very stupid of them to be going to sleep with that thing running. What about just using electric heaters.

I know Amral , even after living so many years in a "big country". But still continues to happen. Here on St.Maarten , we live in the Hurricane zone and every season from June to November the Government ensures that the public at large is forewarned of all the dangers and does and donots. Sad and very unfortunate. Our prayers are with the family.

FM

I heard this Morning . its very sad . I know the family very well We always goes to both Brothers Restarunt . his mom only die like two weeks ago .

what a loss for the family .

http://www.thestar.com/news/gt...oxide_poisoning.html

 We have lots of good memories with this family .

R.I.P Peter. SITA and son Terry .

shanazb
Last edited by shanazb
Originally Posted by TinTin:

Apparently carbon monoxide detectors are useless since they apparently cannot forewarn.

Could it be that the CM detector was defective? I have had to replace mine after about 5-7 years. They don't last forever. Paint fumes would affect them too.

FM
Originally Posted by skeldon_man:
Originally Posted by TinTin:

Apparently carbon monoxide detectors are useless since they apparently cannot forewarn.

Could it be that the CM detector was defective? I have had to replace mine after about 5-7 years. They don't last forever. Paint fumes would affect them too.

Also, Skelly, all CM detectors are not created equal. Some are inferior and some are superb.

FM

I am the expert in these things we sell lots

 

Replace every 10 years max, change battery every year and vacuum the outside or blow them out often. There is no knock off on these things, Govt have strict guidelines. These things are very loud when they go off, they must have had furniture infront to block it

Amral
Originally Posted by Amral:

I am the expert in these things we sell lots

 

Replace every 10 years max, change battery every year and vacuum the outside or blow them out often. There is no knock off on these things, Govt have strict guidelines. These things are very loud when they go off, they must have had furniture infront to block it

The CBC report says: "Police say a man arrived home at this Brampton, Ont., house to find carbon monoxide alarms ringing and five members of his family unconscious."

FM
Originally Posted by Gilbakka:
Originally Posted by skeldon_man:
Originally Posted by TinTin:

Apparently carbon monoxide detectors are useless since they apparently cannot forewarn.

Could it be that the CM detector was defective? I have had to replace mine after about 5-7 years. They don't last forever. Paint fumes would affect them too.

Also, Skelly, all CM detectors are not created equal. Some are inferior and some are superb.

I buy the Kidde CM detectors and fire extinguishers. I think a fire extinguisher is another safety equipment that the home owner should take very seriously.

FM
Originally Posted by Amral:

what I never understand with some people, it is always stated all over the media to not have these things burning in your home because of the danger of inhaling the CO fumes. Yet some people still persists.  It was very very stupid of them to be going to sleep with that thing running. What about just using electric heaters.

Or their fire place. They have one.

R
Originally Posted by skeldon_man:

Mits

How was the funeral?

It's massive. I had to attend another puja earlier. So I went there a bit late. I couldn't get in to view. I will go again in the morning. I estimate it will take one, about 1 to 2 hours to be able to view. Tomorrow it will be from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with possible extension of time.

Mitwah
Originally Posted by skeldon_man:

Mits

How was the funeral?

 

Skeldon,

 

My wife and daughter attended around 7:00 PM. They said that the crowd was huge. My mamoo's wife from NY is related to the deceased. 

 

Cars filled parking lots around the funeral home since it is in an industrial area.

 

Very sad for the Guyanese community.

 

 

FM

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×