In the Tragedy Orriols district, a 45 year old man died early this Saturday while another three people were injured from carbon monoxide exposure inside a rented house at 83 Padre Viñas Street. The residents, all of Pakistani origin, lived in that single dwelling where a tragic accident unfolded, prompting investigators to examine how a gas heater and a self-made exhaust setup may have failed to vent dangerous gases properly. via Prensa Ibérica reported these initial findings and the affected location as the scene of the incident.
The deceased man was found in the bathroom, where authorities say he had been washing when the fatal gas exposure occurred. Early reports suggest the root cause involved improper combustion from a gas heater and a chain of decisions around ventilation that allowed carbon monoxide to accumulate quickly inside a confined space. Investigators are reviewing the circumstances that led to hazardous concentrations, including whether the boiler outlet had been altered to channel fumes in unintended ways. The broader question is how these changes may have created a closed environment where toxic gas could linger and reach dangerous levels in minutes rather than dispersing as designed.
Officials note that the residents had previously modified the boiler’s smoke outlet in an effort to redirect exhaust, but such alterations can drastically increase the risk of gas buildup when ventilation is inadequate. The focus of ongoing inquiries is whether this makeshift approach left the apartment vulnerable to dangerous air conditions, especially in small, enclosed rooms where fresh air exchange is limited and any CO released from the boiler remains trapped. In this case, indoor air quality deteriorated rapidly, and the concentration of carbon monoxide measured in the bathroom reached levels that can be lethal in a short period of time, highlighting the importance of proper installation and routine inspection of heating equipment in rented properties.
Three others were affected by the incident and received medical attention for exposure to carbon monoxide. Emergency responders acted quickly to stabilize the victims and transport them to a medical facility for treatment. The full extent of their injuries and the long-term health implications remain under assessment, but early indicators point to significant exposure that required immediate medical intervention. The tragedy underscores the critical need for safe heating practices, proper ventilation, and adherence to building safety codes in rental housing, especially in winter months when heating appliances are in constant use. Authorities will continue to investigate the sequence of events, verify the integrity of the gas installation, and determine responsibility for any safety violations. For more context on this developing story, sources include Levante-EMV via Prensa Ibérica.