Albany Park Apartment Lacked Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Smoke Detectors, Inspectors Say
The Albany Park apartment where a 10-year-old girl died had a malfunctioning boiler and lacked carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors, the Chicago Department of Buildings found.
Code Violations Cited
The Buildings Department cited the three-flat apartment building for 11 code violations. The third-floor unit where the girl lived and the basement unit did not have carbon monoxide alarms or smoke detectors, according to the report. The report also cited the building’s "malfunctioning" boiler and said the fire department shut off the boiler and the building’s gas supply. The inspection also found the building had exposed and shorted wiring, which it called "dangerous and hazardous." There were also fractures and loose and eroding mortar in the building’s chimney.
Landlords Responsible for Providing and Maintaining Alarms
Homes legally must be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors. Landlords are responsible for providing and maintaining carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in their rental units.
Investigation and Response
At the scene, firefighters detected high levels of carbon monoxide at 300 parts per million, Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford told the Sun-Times Monday. "A carbon monoxide detector will trip as low as 10 ppm, which would give you plenty of time to fix the situation and get out," he said. Langford said carbon monoxide poisoning is fatal when the strength of the gas is high and the duration of the exposure is long.
Resident’s Experience
Rhoda Maliet lives on the first floor of the building with her family and was awoken by police early Monday. "They knocked on our door and told us, ‘You need to get out, there’s a gas leak and the carbon monoxide is too high, and it killed a little girl,’" Maliet told the Sun-Times on Tuesday. Two days earlier, on Saturday, the carbon monoxide alarm in Maliet’s apartment went off. She thought the battery in the alarm had died. "I didn’t know the dangers of carbon monoxide until this, I didn’t know it could be deadly," Maliet said.
Conclusion
The death of 10-year-old Jayrinne Sequeida is a tragic reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and installation of carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors in rental units. The investigation into this incident highlights the need for landlords to take responsibility for ensuring the safety of their tenants.
FAQs
- What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be fatal in high concentrations. - How is carbon monoxide detected?
Carbon monoxide detectors can detect levels as low as 10 parts per million (ppm). - What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. - What should I do if I suspect a carbon monoxide leak?
If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak, leave the building immediately and call emergency services.
