Susan lazaruk, The Province
Published: Wednesday, March 05, 2008
WorkSafe B.C. is investigating the deaths of two carpet cleaners, possibly from carbon-monoxide poisoning.
The bodies of the two men, aged 63 and 45, were found by the manager of a townhouse complex in Richmond, near Blundell and No. 4 roads, on Monday night.
"The Richmond fire department did detect the presence of carbon monoxide," said Donna Freeman of WorkSafe
Font:****The men, who were not named, worked for Fast Speed Carpet and Upholstery. The company's voicemail box was full yesterday and no one could be reached for comment.
The men were last heard from around 4 p.m., when they called the property manager and told him they expected to be finished cleaning the townhouse by 6 p.m., said Freeman.
The manager went to the suite at 8 p.m. and found the bodies and called 911.
Freeman said the carpet-cleaning equipment was on a truck parked in the garage and the men were working in a "relatively closed" area. The equipment included an "internal combustion engine."
It's not clear if the small company was registered with WorkSafe B.C., said Freeman.
RCMP ruled out foul play. The coroner's office is investigating to determine the cause of death.
Dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide can accumulate if fuel is not fully burned or if rooms are poorly ventilated.
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