On February 8, 2026, the Gananoque Fire Department, with support from Leeds 1000 Islands Fire Services, evacuated a multi-unit apartment building in Gananoque after a carbon monoxide alarm was activated. Fire crews used high-sensitivity gas detection equipment to locate and mitigate the source; no residents were injured or required hospital care.
According to a Gananoque Fire Department representative, the alarm “functioned exactly as intended,” preventing what fire officials said could have been a tragedy. Fire officials reminded residents that a working carbon monoxide alarm is the primary defense against the invisible gas, which can be produced by furnaces and other fuel-burning household appliances.
Fire crews are asking residents to check that snow and ice are cleared away from outside exhaust vents for furnaces and water heaters. Blocked intake or exhaust vents can cause carbon monoxide to build up indoors and become dangerous.
Regional fire services are also urging residents to ensure their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in working order. Provincial and municipal fire-safety guidance recommends testing alarms regularly — generally at least once a month — and following manufacturer guidance for battery replacement and end-of-life replacement. Leeds 1000 Islands Fire Services specifically urged residents to clear a three-foot perimeter around fire hydrants so crews can access water quickly during an emergency.
Local fire services are conducting ice-safety outreach to schools this week to teach children about staying safe on and around the St. Lawrence River. These reminders coincide with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures in the region, which increase winter-related risks to households.
