Three dead; carbon monoxide blamed

(Updated)

An avoidable tragedy in Brampton has left three people dead. The family members were found Monday morning inside their home — likely dead as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Fire officials say the family used an outdoor, propane-fueled appliance to heat their home after their furnace died.

The house is still marked off with police tape and there is a bouquet of flowers out front. All kinds of people have stopped by with shocked expressions on their face. The family came from Guyana in the 1970’s and they’re very well known in the West Indian community — particularly with their Calypso Hut restaurants which have been operating for decades.

The victims include 60-year old Peter Pitamber. He was found on the floor by his 29-year old son Jerry who had just come home from his shift at the restaurant at about 2am.

Peter’s wife and Jerry’s mother 59-year old Seeta and their disabled son, 36-year old Terry — who were in their beds, also lifeless. Just a couple of weeks ago Peter’s mother died, so the family was still in mourning. So Peter’s brother Paul Rampersaud was staying in the basement with his friend Doc. They did manage to get Paul out of the house but he was reeling from the poisoning. He and Doc are expected to be ok because they were in the basement where the carbon monoxide detector was. The people who died were all on the third floor — the faulty appliance was on the main floor of the backsplit.

There was a wake a couple of weeks ago for Peter’s mother at the Calypso Hut. There will soon be another there and that’s where family and friends gathered today.

Alvin Rampersaud is the cousin of one of the victims: “They had the biggest hearts — they’d do anything for anybody. They didn’t deserve to go this way. It’s in the hands of God right.”

Deputy Chief Brian Maltby is with the Brampton fire department: “There was an appliance or device in the house that we know that was likely the cause of it that was fueled by propane. The device may have been a burner used to prepare food.”

Gary Jarrett is the Acting Chief with the Brampton fire dept: “This propane fired unit was above the CO alarm. By the time the air currents brought the CO poisoning upstairs where the victims succumb and down to the basement, it’s all over.”

The main message from the fire department is to keep your appliances up to date. This families furnace stopped working just a day before. You should have it properly maintained every year. The other message is to keep carbom monoxide detectors on every level — particularly outside bedrooms. Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer and it usually attacks people in their sleep.